BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich does not fundamentally rule out the delivery of German battle tanks to Ukraine. "There are no red lines," Mützenich said Thursday at the start of the parliamentary group retreat in Berlin. Germany will coordinate closely with its allies on the issue, he added. Ukraine must get "what is important for the right of self-defense," he said. At the same time, however, Germany must not become involved in the war, he said.

Poland had said Wednesday it was ready to supply Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine along with allies. Germany has so far only assured Ukraine of the lighter and less powerful Marder infantry fighting vehicles.

Next week on Friday, the defense ministers of the Western allies will meet at the U.S. air base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, to discuss further arms deliveries to the war zone. That the German government decides by then for a delivery of battle tanks, is "not very likely", government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit had said on Wednesday./mfi/DP/jha