German parliament signs off on heavy weapons deliveries to Ukraine

Germany's parliament on Thursday voted by a large majority in favour of the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine, reported dpa.

Lawmakers in the Bundestag called on the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to continue and expand the delivery of equipment required by the Ukrainian military.

"The most important and effective means to stop the Russian invasion is to intensify and speed up the delivery of effective weapons and complex systems including heavy arms," the parliamentary petition said.

It was supported by all three parties in the centre-left coalition, as well as the conservative CDU-CSU opposition bloc.

Russia has repeatedly said that its military will target foreign weapons deliveries that are sent in support of Ukraine's defence.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev slammed the parliament's decision, saying that it hearkened back to Nazi Germany.

"This is sad for the parliament," he said, without giving further details.