BERLIN — Germany will provide 12 additional self-propelled howitzers 2000 worth €150 million ($166.14 million) to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Friday during a meeting of the Ukraine contact group at the U.S. Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany.

The meeting, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marked the 24th gathering of the "Ramstein format," involving around 50 supporting countries.

Pistorius stated that six of the PzH 2000 howitzers would be delivered to Ukraine this year, with the remaining six to follow in 2025.

Additionally, Germany will collaborate with Denmark and the Netherlands to supply 77 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible.

The German defense minister urged allies to sustain their support for Ukraine and provide long-range weapons to counter Russian targets. He claimed that Russia continues to escalate its "aggression," targeting both civilian and military sites indiscriminately.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who also met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Frankfurt, called on Western nations to disregard “red lines” imposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Scholz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to Ukraine, stating, "Germany is and remains Ukraine's strongest supporter in Europe. As long as it is necessary." — Agencies