"The president wanted to increase... aid" to Ukraine "by accepting to deliver AMX-10 RC light tanks", an aide said after both leaders spoke by telephone.

"It is the first time that Western-designed tanks are supplied to the Ukrainian armed forces."

It was not immediately clear how many of the tanks -- which have been in service since the 1980s -- would be dispatched or when they would be delivered.

The French defence ministry said the countries' defence ministers would soon discuss these details.

The AMX-10 RC tanks are very light and on wheels, and therefore "very mobile" -- "perhaps old but high-performance", an advisor said.

Zelensky on Twitter said he thanked Macron "for the decision to transfer light tanks" to Ukraine.

Paris has already delivered rocket launchers, air defence missile systems, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, as well as armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine.