Belgium and Sweden to join Germany in sending arms to Ukraine

Belgium has become the latest European country to offer weapons to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia's invasion. 

Belgium plans to send thousands of machine guns and hundreds of anti-tank grenade launchers, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced. 

"It was nice to learn that in addition to yesterday's agreements, Belgium is sending us another 3,000 machine guns and 200 anti-tank grenade launchers," Zelensky tweeted, thanking Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. 

Earlier, Sweden also announced that it would step up with military aid, including anti-tank weapons, helmets and body armor. The move marks the first time it has sent weapons to a country in armed conflict since the Soviet Union’s 1939 invasion of Finland, said Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. 

"Sweden is now proposing direct support for Ukraine’s armed forces. It includes 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, 5,000 body shields and 5,000 anti-tank weapons," Andersson said.

Germany announced on Friday that it planned to send anti-tank weapons and missiles to Ukraine, which also represents a major reversal of its policy of not exporting arms to conflict zones.