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315 views • January 26, 2023

Biden Announces US Sending M1 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine

Capitol Report
Capitol Report
President Joe Biden on Wednesday confirmed that the United States will send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as Kyiv's conflict with Russia nears its one-year anniversary. The president said during a White House announcement that the United States will send 31 tanks to Ukraine, adding that the "U.S. and Europe are fully united." He reiterated that the tanks are "not an offensive threat to Russia." "That's what we all want: an end to this war," Biden said, adding, "Our terms ... is to preserve Ukraine's territorial sovereignty." Earlier this week, unconfirmed reports citing anonymous sources said that the United States was poised to send dozens of its top battle tank to Ukraine after saying for months that it would not be deployed in the country. Since the start of the conflict, Ukraine's government has asked for battle tanks from Western powers amid protracted fighting in the eastern portion of the country. Previously, U.S. officials have said that the M1 Abrams' systems are too complex to operate and maintain, while adding that it would take months to get the tanks to Ukraine. It would also take months to train Ukrainians in using them. Germany confirmed Wednesday that it would send 14 of its high-tech Leopard tanks to Ukraine. "Germany will always be at the forefront when it comes to supporting Ukraine," Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the German parliament, to applause. Berlin's move paves the way for pledges from other countries that field Leopards, which Germany made in the thousands and exported to allies. Finland said it would send them, as did Poland, which has already sought Berlin's approval. Spain and the Netherlands said they were considering it, and Norway was reported to be discussing it. Britain has offered a company of 14 of its comparable Challengers and France is considering sending its Leclercs. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told German media that the tanks would provide needed support. "They do only one very important thing—they motivate our soldiers to fight for their own values, because they show that the whole world is with you," Zelenskyy told Germany's ARD channel. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said he spoke with U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday, promising "more good news to be announced soon." Reznikov said they discussed the "further strengthening of [Ukraine's army], including tank supplies and maintenance of the new armament."
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