Ukraine is urging additional and faster arms shipments from the west amid heavy fighting in the east of the country.

After Russian rocket attacks on Monday night, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj again asked for modern air defense systems.

According to a media report, the Ukraine is hoping that the forthcoming visit by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Kyiv will result in the immediate delivery of German tanks.

"Unfortunately, without German heavy weapons, we will not be able to break Russia's massive military superiority and save the lives of soldiers and civilians," said Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk to the German Press Agency.

"The Ukrainians expect that Chancellor Olaf Scholz will announce a new aid package for German armaments during his visit to Kyiv, which should definitely include Leopard 1 main battle tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles that can be delivered immediately."

Klitschko insists on further support before a possible Scholz visit

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko has high expectations of a possible visit by Chancellor Scholz to the Ukrainian capital.

According to "Bild am Sonntag", the SPD politician is planning a joint trip with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in June.

"We need tough support sanctions and weapons from the three leaders of the most important countries as soon as possible," Klitschko told the "Bild".

He assumes that the dramatic situation in Ukraine would become clearer through a visit.

"I think you can understand the situation better when you've seen cities like Bucha with your own eyes," said Klitschko.

He sees the capital of Ukraine in danger in the Russian war of aggression.

"Kyiv was a target and Kyiv remains a target." Putin says that he claims all of the former Russian territory: "His interest does not end in Kyiv and on the border with Poland.

He will go as far as we allow him.” He added: “The war will also be knocking on the door of the Germans.”

Criticism of the pace of German arms deliveries

Melnyk said it was disappointing how slowly Germany was delivering arms to Ukraine.

No weapons have arrived since May 3, only six million rounds of ammunition.

"Therefore, we hope that the traffic light government will finally step on the gas pedal to massively increase both the scope and pace for Ukraine to repel the Russian major offensive in Donbass."

Two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the German government decided to deliver weapons to the war zone – breaking a taboo.

Since then, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft missiles, fragmentation grenades and more than 20 million rounds of ammunition have arrived in Ukraine.

Heavy weapons such as artillery pieces and anti-aircraft tanks have been promised but have not yet been delivered.

German deliveries approved for 350 million euros by June

In the first three months of the war, the federal government approved the delivery of weapons and other armaments worth 350.1 million euros to Ukraine.

This emerges from a response from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection to a request from the Left MP Sevim Dagdelen, which the dpa has received.

These include weapons of war for 219.8 million euros and other armaments such as helmets and protective vests for 85.2 million euros.

By way of comparison, from the start of the war to June 1, the United States promised or delivered weapons and equipment worth $4.6 billion (€4.37 billion) to Ukraine, according to government figures.

These include heavy weapons like howitzers and multiple rocket launchers.