German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on the phone on Thursday about arms deliveries to Ukraine, a spokesperson for the German leaders told Reuters.

Germany is in advanced talks with the US to secure at least two additional Patriot air-defense systems for Ukraine as Russia steps up its drone and missile attacks and Washington places a hold on weapons deliveries this week.

German government spokesman Stefan Cornelius has confirmed that Germany is conducting intensive negotiations with the United States on the supply of Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine amid large-scale Russian attacks and the suspension of some US supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.