WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. government is optimistic that Germany will agree to supply Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, according to a CNN report. "We are very optimistic that we will make progress on this issue by the end of the week," the US broadcaster quoted a senior Pentagon official as saying Wednesday (local time). U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will press the German side to allow the delivery to enable Ukraine to counter a potential spring offensive by Russia, he said.

"We're really opening the door to providing that capability at a critical moment," the statement continued. Austin arrived in Berlin Wednesday evening to discuss further support for Ukraine in its defensive fight against Russia. This Thursday, he will meet with new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD).

On Friday, defense ministers from several dozen countries will also meet at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Rhineland-Palatinate to discuss further military support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expects the meeting to signal "more heavy weapons and more modern weapons" for Ukraine./jv/DP/jha