Poland has officially requested permission from Germany to transfer German Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. German officials confirmed to the dpa news agency that they had received the request and said it would be considered as a matter of urgency.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said earlier that Berlin would not prevent Poland from supplying Kyiv with tanks, AP reported.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak also called on Germany to join the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks - referring to the recent pressure on Berlin to send some of its armored vehicles.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for the speedy delivery of new weapons to Ukraine.