PM Morawiecki: I'm moderately pessimistic, Germans don't want to send their modern equipment to Ukraine

"Today, in the last days really, the very great pressure on Germany has been noticeable, regarding sending these modern tanks, Leopards, to Ukraine," Mateusz Morawiecki said on Thursday.

"But I tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that here I am moderately sceptical, moderately pessimistic because the Germans are defending themselves against this like a devil protects himself against holy water," he added.

"They do not want to want to send their modern equipment, especially these Leopards."

Fearing winter will give Russian forces time to regroup and unleash a major attack, Ukraine is pushing for the Leopard battle tanks, which are held by an array of NATO nations but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Germany's approval.

A German government source said Berlin would lift its objections if Washington sends its own Abrams tanks.

Poland and Finland have already said they would send Leopards if Germany lifts its veto. In a sign of mounting frustration, Poland suggested it might do so even if Germany tries to block it.