Germany sends military aid to Ukraine worth $3 billion

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius made the announcement by repeating the country's continued powerful support for Kiev.

We all want a quick end to this terrible war carried out by Russia against the Ukrainian people, which is contrary to international law. Unfortunately, this is not yet visible on the horizon. A new aid package from Germany worth $2.9 billion has been approved”, he said, adding that aid includes 30 additional Leopard tanks, 100 armoured vehicles, 15 additional Gephard antiaircraft systems, 20 Marder infantry combat vehicles and 200 drones”, said Pistorius, according to CNN.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodyyr Zelensky's office, confirmed the transaction in a post in the telegram.

Germany indicated initial reluctance to hand over tanks to Ukraine, but agreed in January to hand over the Leopard 2 tanks. Furthermore, Germany agreed to send 50 Gephard anti-aircraft systems in April.

Meanwhile, German company Rheinmetall has offered to build its new Panther tank KF51 for Ukraine and is said to be considering the possibility of creating a tank factory in Ukraine.

“We are talking with Kiev to export Panther”, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger told the German newspaper Handelsblat.

German media reported that Zelensky, who met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melon in Rome on Saturday, will travel to Berlin later this weekend.