The decision was taken at a meeting in Brussels on Monday, the Reuters news agency reported.
The bloc’s top diplomats also approved a further EUR 45 million for "non-lethal equipment" for the EU's military training mission for Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), officials said.
Sweden, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, tweeted: "We remain steadfast in our support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces."
As they arrived at the Brussels meeting, several of the foreign ministers said it was key for Germany to allow Leopard tanks to be sent to Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said that Germany was not blocking the export of Leopard tanks, Britain’s The Guardian newspaper reported on its website.
German defence contractor to deliver 139 Leopard tanks to Ukraine
German defence group Rheinmetall announced on Monday it could deliver 139 Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine if required, Reuters reported.
The declaration was made by a spokesperson for the company, in an interview with the media group RND, according to Reuters.
The official said Rheinmetall could deliver 29 Leopard 2A4 tanks by April or May and a further 22 in late 2023 or early 2024, as well as 88 older Leopard 1 tanks, in an unspecified time frame.
Russia threatens Ukraine will “pay price” if tanks sent to Kyiv
Meanwhile, Russia has warned that Ukraine will “pay the price” if the West decides to send tanks to help Kyiv, The Guardian reported.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the divisions in Europe over whether to deliver tanks to Ukraine showed there was increasing “nervousness” within the NATO alliance.
‘Last half step’ remains to be taken on Leopard tanks for Ukraine: Kuleba
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said he has “no doubt” that allies will send German-made Leopard tanks to his country, the Ukrainska Pravda website reported.
Kuleba told Ukrainian TV: "Considering the issue of tanks, the last half step remains to be taken. We have already received British Challengers, which was said to be impossible. We are already receiving French light tanks so far. We hear that France is considering the supply of Leclerc tanks.”
He added, as quoted by Ukrainska Pravda: “I have no doubt that the Leopard will reach us, we are in the final stage."
These new developments came as Germany faced intense pressure from Ukraine and some NATO allies, notably Poland, to allow the transfer of the Leopard tanks to Kyiv as it battles the Russian invasion.
The re-export of tanks manufactured in Germany must be approved by the economic ministry in Berlin, officials said.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Monday said his government would seek permission from Berlin to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but added that such consent was of “secondary importance.”
Tuesday is day 335 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: Reuters, consilium.europa.eu, The Guardian, Ukrainska Pravda, Associated Press