Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) meets with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. (POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday discussed defense support for Ukraine in a phone conversation.

Zelensky informed Scholz of the current situation on the frontline and the priority needs of the Ukrainian military, the presidential press service reported.

The president thanked the chancellor for his efforts aimed at ensuring long-term support for Ukraine and increasing defense assistance to 8 billion euros (about $8.7 billion) this year.

Britain has offered Germany a swap of cruise missiles that could allow the German government a way to overcome concerns over a suggested delivery of missiles to Ukraine, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported on Wednesday

In particular, Zelensky praised Germany's recent decision to transfer six Sea King Mk41 helicopters to Ukraine.

The parties also discussed in detail the prospects to bolster Ukraine's air defense system and provide the Eastern European country with artillery and armored vehicles.

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Britain has offered Germany a swap of cruise missiles that could allow the German government a way to overcome concerns over a suggested delivery of missiles to Ukraine, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported on Wednesday.

Kyiv has been pushing Berlin to supply its Taurus missiles, but the German government has remained hesitant out of concern that could trigger an international escalation of the conflict.

The paper cited government and diplomatic sources as saying that the British government had suggested to Berlin several weeks ago that it could export Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine and, in turn, receive the German Taurus missiles.

The office of Scholz has been analyzing this proposal, the report added.

The German government declined to comment on the report.

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When asked to comment, a spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence said that the UK and its partners including Germany continue to work together to equip Ukraine as best as possible so that it can defend its territory.

The German government has repeatedly said it will only act in concert with Washington on arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The preparation of an agreement on security commitments between Ukraine and Germany was another topic of the talks.

In 2023, Germany provided 5.4 billion euros (about $5.9 billion) in military aid for Ukraine after 2 billion euros (about $2.2 billion) in 2022. 

With Reuters inputs