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The German parliament has voted in favor of sending heavy weapons to Ukraine, a symbolic decision that reflects a change in the government's course on the issue, the Associated Press reported.

Germany initially refused to send any offensive weapons to Ukraine, but later avoided sending heavy military equipment such as armored vehicles. 

Under pressure from both the country and its allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government recently agreed to allow Ukraine to buy German weapons and support arms exchanges with allies, who in turn send heavy weapons to Kyiv. 

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Germany has already sent nearly 2,500 anti-aircraft missiles, 900 grenade launchers and millions of munitions, including hand grenades and mines, to Ukraine, the DPA reported.

Berlin now plans to give Slovenia armored vehicles to replace Soviet-era tanks it sends to Ukraine, send mortars directly to Kyiv and allow it to purchase stockpiles of self-propelled armored anti-aircraft guns from Germany.  

German companies have also asked to send 88 Leopard tanks, 100 Marder armored vehicles and 100 howitzers to Ukraine, permission for which has not yet been given.         

586 deputies voted in favor of today's non-binding decision, 100 lawmakers voted against and seven abstained.

The decision received support from the ruling parties and the main opposition bloc of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union (CDU / CSU) of former Chancellor Angela Merkel.                  

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