BERLIN, Feb 7 (CGTN) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested he was open to sending more troops to Lithuania in an attempt to strengthen the eastern flank of the military alliance NATO in response to a massing of Russian troops close to the borders of Ukraine.

"We are ready to do all that is necessary to strengthen" the German-led battlegroup in Lithuania, Scholz said in an interview with local broadcaster ARD.

Scholz added he would discuss this proposal with the leaders of the three Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - who are scheduled to fly to the German capital Berlin to visit him on February 10.

Scholz, however, dismissed speculation that weapons deliveries to Ukraine would happen due to Germany's policy not to send arms to conflict zones.

While the United States has voiced grave warnings that Russia has stepped up its preparations for a major invasion of Ukraine, Europe has attempted to defuse the crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to head to Russia on Monday and Ukraine on Tuesday to try and de-escalate the crisis and push forward a stalled peace plan.

Scholz, on his part, will also visit the region for talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky the following week in a bid to further the diplomatic efforts.

Scholz noted an easing of tensions between the West and Russia with an increase in dialogue whether between the United States and Russia or in the so-called Normandy format of talks between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.