According to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to send Leopard 2 combat tanks to Ukraine and permit other nations, such as Poland, to do the same while the US may provide Abrams tanks.

The diplomatic and defense ministries, as well as a government spokesperson, declined to comment.

According to Spiegel magazine, which broke the news first, the decision affects at least one company of Leopard 2 A6 tanks that will be provided from Bundeswehr inventories.

One company usually comprises 14 tanks.

Other allies, in Scandinavia for example, intend to go along with Germany in supplying their Leopard tanks to Kyiv, the magazine reported.

In the longer term, more tanks could be restored to be fit for use, according to the magazine.

U.S. officials told Reuters that Washington may soon drop its opposition to sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine, in a move designed to encourage Germany to follow.

The Pentagon declined to comment on any coming announcements on the Abrams. It also declined to comment on whether Germany might green light deliveries of the Leopards.

Defence “Secretary (Lloyd) Austin did have very productive conversations with his German counterpart when he was in Germany” for meetings last week, Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told a news conference.