Ukraine persists in demanding more weapons and tanks from Germany before its arrival in Berlin

kyiv/BERLIN, 2 Sep. (DPA/EP) -

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denis Shmigal has once again urged German authorities to provide him with more weapons and modern tanks to deal with Russian troops, ahead of his arrival in Berlin this weekend.

"We need a change in the philosophy behind arms deliveries. By that I mean modern tanks must also be delivered," Shmigal told DPA ahead of his visit to Berlin this weekend.

"We expect the United States to supply Abrams tanks and Germany to supply Leopard 2 tanks. These are the modern tanks that Ukraine needs on the battlefield," he stressed.

Despite the fact that no other European country has supplied this type of military system to Ukraine, this country insists on ordering battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles from Germany, whose public opinion has been wary of any form of foreign military intervention.

Shmigal is expected to arrive in Berlin on Saturday and be received by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday. The Ukrainian prime minister will be the highest-ranking member of President Volodymyr Zelensky's government to visit the German capital since Russia invaded Ukraine just over six months ago.

"We are fighting for peace. I don't think one can get tired of fighting for peace. We are all in the crosshairs of this regime. We have to unite and fight together for freedom in Europe," he said.

"Germany has made immense progress when it comes to arms deliveries to Ukraine," Shmigal stressed, referring to Berlin's initial reluctance to supply weapons.

However, he has insisted again that it is not enough to repel and counter the attacks of the Russian forces and has asked Germany not only to send more weapons as soon as possible, but also to offer its support in forums such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). ), or the EU Commission to help prevent economic hyperinflation in Ukraine.