Kyiv has been calling for months for Western main battle tanks that would give its forces greater firepower, protection and mobility to break through Russian defensive lines and potentially swoop through territory occupied by the invaders.

Kyiv welcomed Germany's decision on Wednesday to green-light Leopard 2 tank deliveries to Ukraine, following weeks of pressure from allies.

"The first step on tanks has been taken. Next, the 'tank coalition'. We need a lot of Leopards," the head of Ukraine's presidential administration Andriy Yermak said on social media, referring to other countries that have said they would also send the tanks with Berlin's approval, AFP reported.

"A few hundred tanks for our tank crews [...] This is what is going to become a real punching fist of democracy," Yermak wrote on Telegram.

Germany will send an initial company of 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own stocks and approve shipments by allies who field them, with the aim of supplying Ukraine with two battalions, typically comprising three to four companies each. Berlin would also provide training, ammunition and maintenance.

"This decision follows our well-known line of supporting Ukraine to the best of our ability. We are acting in a closely coordinated manner internationally," Cancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters.

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