German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Sunday that he expects a decision to be made soon on the delivery of tanks to Ukraine regardless of the route, Reuters reports.

In an interview with Germany’s ARD TV channel, Pistorius said Germany would not make a hasty decision because the government had to consider many factors, including the implications for the security of the German population.

His statements came immediately after it became known that German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock said that Germany will not interfere if Poland sends German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Germany will not “oppose” Poland’s desire to supply Ukraine with Leopard tanks, which it insists on, if Warsaw asks for permission, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock said on Sunday.

Pressure is mounting on the German government to supply Ukraine with Leopard tanks, which could have a significant impact on the battlefield against Russian forces.

“We understand how important these tanks are, we are fully aware of that,” Ms. Burbock added.

Amid criticism that he would block the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he had ordered an inventory of Leopard 2 tanks to be prepared if allies agreed.

“This is not a precedent, it is just a preparation for the day that may come, in which case we will be able to act immediately and provide support in a very short time, this is a decision between the Federal Republic of Germany … and the transatlantic and NATO partners as a whole, that’s how it’s perceived,” he said.

“We are ready; we are preparing,” he insisted.

The foreign ministers of the three Baltic states called on Berlin to supply Kiev with Leopard tanks, a day after Germany refused to do so at a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine.