Germany will be glad to welcome Zelensky, but still not going to hand over Leopard tanks to Ukraine - spokesperson

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said this at a briefing in Berlin on Wednesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I cannot announce any plans for the near future. Of course, Germany will be very happy to welcome the President of Ukraine if he decides to make such a visit," Hebestreit said, adding that Zelensky's visit to the United States was kept in secrecy until the very last moment.

He called it a "very positive sign and encouraging step" that Zelensky was able to leave Ukraine for Washington on his first foreign visit in many months, during which he took part in many meetings via video link. Hebestreit also recalled that today is the 301st day of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Commenting on the possibility of announcing new positions of military aid in the event of such a potential visit, including the transfer of Leopard tanks, Hebestreit said that the transfer of tanks to Ukraine was not currently being planned.

He recalled three principles of the German government: to support Ukraine with all possible means, to prevent a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO, and not to act alone in such matters. Hebestreit recalled that no country had yet provided Western tanks to Ukraine and that he sees no signs of this happening in the near future.

At the same time, he noted that the situation is developing "very dynamically" and its assessment is carried out regularly.