The U.S. and Germany have separately announced to send battle tanks to Ukraine after pressure from NATO allies and Ukraine to supply the advanced armored vehicles as Kyiv prepares for a possible new Russian offensive in the spring.
The announcement by U.S. President Joe Biden that he was providing 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine coincided with the statement by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that he will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
The move comes after an initial disagreement between Western officials on sending advanced tanks to Ukraine. Germany earlier refused to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or to give its approval to other countries to export not wanting to be the first to take the step. Washington also resisted when Germany made clear it would proceed only if the United States sent its own powerful tank, the M1 Abrams.
The failure to strike a deal was sharply criticized by some Ukrainians as well as the Polish and Latvian governments, who have argued that tanks are critical to claw back territory seized by Russia early in its invasion and to defend against an expected Russian offensive.
Both countries finally agreed to send in the advanced tanks requested by Ukraine for its extended fight against Russia.
U.S. to send 31 M1 Abrams Tanks
Speaking from the White House, President Biden said the tanks would “enhance Ukraine’s capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives” in both the near and long terms.
While he publicized the ability of the tanks to help Ukraine “counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield,” Biden insisted they should not be viewed by Moscow as an “offensive threat.” He said: “This is not an offensive threat to Russia. There is no offensive threat to Russia if Russian troops return to Russia, where they belong”.
Germany to send Leopard 2 tanks
Hours earlier, Germany announced that it would send Leopards to Ukraine and allow other nations to send their own, Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his country’s cautious approach. “We’re talking about very effective weapons systems here, and it’s proper that we never provide those weapons systems alone, but always in close cooperation,” Scholz told lawmakers.
Germany will initially supply 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own stock, as well as ammunition and logistical and maintenance support.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky embraced the news and called it “an important step on the path to victory.”
