Germany's Scholz pledges to boost military mission in Lithuania

A drone used by the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup German troops is pictured before the arrival of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Pabrade, Lithuania June 7, 2022. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

Germany is ready to ramp up its military mission in Lithuania in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a visit to Vilnius on Tuesday.

"We are ready to strengthen our engagement and to develop it towards a robust combat brigade," Scholz told reporters without giving details.

Berlin sent hundreds of additional troops to Lithuania in the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion, described by Moscow as a "special military operation", and has deployed some 1,000 troops there as part of a German-led NATO combat unit.

Members of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup German troops are pictured before the arrival of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, in Pabrade, Lithuania June 7, 2022. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

Asked about reports that Spain plans to send German-built Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine, Scholz said Berlin has not yet received an export request from the government in Madrid.

Any such request would be carefully assessed, he added.

Spain wants to supply Ukraine with anti-aircraft missiles and Leopard tanks, according to government sources cited by newspaper El Pais on Sunday. [L1N2XS048]

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Vilnius, Lithuania June 7, 2022. REUTERS/Janis Laizans

Germany has so far refused to deliver Western tanks to Ukraine.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, Sabine Siebold and Rachel More; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)