Germany says it will deliver seven self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine after reversing its policy not to send heavy armaments to war zones.
Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht told reporters during a visit to Slovakia on May 6 that the weapons will come from current inventories, with delivery expected in the coming weeks.
The howitzer reaches firing distances of 30 kilometers with standard ammunition, but its range can be as far as 40 kilometers with range-enhanced ammunition, the German military said.
The move comes after a major shift in German policy to send heavy weapons to Ukraine, including "Gepard" antiaircraft systems, also known as the Cheetah system.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced increasing criticism over Germany not doing enough to help Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.
But Scholz's government, stung by criticism from domestic opposition and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reversed course last month and pledged to export heavier weapons to Kyiv.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Zelenskiy spoke by telephone on May 5 to settle a diplomatic spat following Kyiv's blocking of a proposed visit by Steinmeier to Ukraine last month.
And on May 6, Zelenskiy called on Scholz to take a "powerful step" and visit Kyiv on May 9 -- the date that Russia commemorates as the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Speaking to Britain's Chatham House think tank on a video call, Zelenskiy said: “He's invited, the invitation is open, it has been for some time now.”
"He's invited to come to Ukraine. He can make this very powerful political step to come here on May 9, to Kyiv. I am not explaining the significance -- I think you're cultured enough to understand why."