Germany is ready to increase its military mission in Lithuania in response to the war in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a visit to Vilnius, Reuters reports.

Berlin sent hundreds of additional troops to Lithuania immediately after the start of the war and stationed some 1,000 troops there as part of a German-led NATO combat unit.

Asked about reports that Spain plans to send German-made Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, Scholz said Berlin has not yet received an export request from the Madrid government. He added that any such request would be carefully considered.

Spain wants to supply Ukraine with anti-aircraft missile systems and Leopard tanks, the El Pais newspaper reported earlier. Germany has so far refused to supply Western tanks to Ukraine.