THE mayor of Kiev has branded Germany's offer of 5,000 helmets to Ukraine a "joke".

       Former boxer-turned politician Vitali Klitschko poked fun at the offer, asking if the nation would like to send pillows instead.

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       The mayor said the offer left him 'speechless' Credit: Instagram

       He said the helmet offer had left him "speechless".

       He told Bild: "Five thousand helmets are an absolute joke.

       "What will Germany send next? Pillows?"

       The mayor also said Germany did not understand "that we are dealing with a highly equipped Russian army that could start further invading Ukraine at any moment".

       The Czech government agreed to donate 4,000 artillery ammunition rounds to Ukraine as the country prepares to potentially come face to face with Putin's forces.

       Ukraine sits on the brink of all-out war with Russia as 120,000 troops mass on the border and the world waits with bated breath.

       Meanwhile, Britain is urging Nato allies to stand up to Russian bullies and flood Ukraine with weapons - not helmets or pillows - and backing sanctions.

       Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will share intelligence on the extent of President Putin’s war plans with Dutch and German defence chiefs to help stiffen their resolve.

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       Mr Johnson said the UK and its allies would respond swiftly and “in unison” to any invasion and with severe economic sanctions.

       He added: “The British Army leads the Nato battle group in Estonia and if Russia invades Ukraine, we would look to contribute to any new Nato deployments to protect our allies in Europe.”

       They are unlikely to be combat troops but ministers refused to rule anything out.

       Members of the Nato alliance — including Denmark, Spain, Bulgaria and the Netherlands — are sending more fighter jets and warships to Eastern Europe to bolster defences in the region.

       The US has also put 8,500 troops on alert to deploy at short notice, which Russia said caused it “great concern”.

       German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany supports Ukraine and is aligned with other NATO countries, but has so-far been reluctant to send arms.

       It's thought this could be down to its dependence on Russia for gas - as well as the nation's military past.

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       Ukraine is facing Putin's wrath Credit: AFP 3

       Britain has urged allies to flood Ukraine with weapons Credit: AP