German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has pledged Germany's help to remove anti-personnel mines left in Ukraine by retreating Russian troops but declined to say whether Germany would fulfill Ukraine's request for battle tanks.
During a visit on September 10 to a minefield in Velyka Dymerka near Kyiv, Baerbock accused the Russian Army of "contaminating" the suburbs of Kyiv with mines. She said contamination has been found on children's toys inside homes.
Baerbock also held talks with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and other officials during the visit, her second to the country since the Russian invasion began in February.
At a press conference, Kuleba raised the issue of battle tanks, saying Kyiv saw "no obstacles" to its request. Until Berlin decides to send them, Germany should continue to supply artillery ammunition, he said.
WATCH: Exclusive: German Foreign Minister On Arms, Gas, Russia, And Ukraine
"That noticeably increases our offensive capabilities and that helps us liberate new areas," Kuleba said, referring to ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensives in the east and south.
Baerbock reacted cautiously, saying Germany has been supplying heavy weapons for some time.
Specifically, Baerbock mentioned multiple-rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers, and Gepard anti-aircraft systems, also known as the Cheetah system. She added that Germany would supply 10 more of the latter as quickly as possible.
Baerbock did not directly address the battle tanks mentioned by Kuleba but said as the situation on the ground changes Germany would assess its support and discuss further steps with its partners.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin last week and pressed the need for additional weapons, including Leopard 2 battle tanks.
Shmyhal told reporters he was optimistic about the eventual delivery of the tanks, but Scholz has expressed skepticism about sending them.
Baerbock said earlier that her presence in the country was intended to show "that we will continue to stand by Ukraine as long as it takes -- with the delivery of weapons, as well as humanitarian and financial support."
Baerbock said it was clear to her that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is counting on us getting tired of sympathizing with Ukraine's suffering."
Putin "believes he can divide our societies with lies and blackmail us with energy supplies, and that he can take away our energy to defend ourselves against this brutal attack on all our values," Baerbock said. The tactic won't work "because all of Europe knows that Ukraine is defending our peaceful order."
She also addressed energy prices that have soared in Europe due to Russia's restrictions of oil and natural gas supplies, an action the West has said Moscow is taking in retaliation for punitive sanctions the European Union imposed due to the war.
