The announcement comes in less than 24 hours after Germany announced to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine
The President of the United States – Joe Biden has announced to send 31 M-1 Abram tanks to Ukraine to help them fight against the invading Russian forces.
The announcement comes in less than 24 hours after the Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz announces to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Germany also allowed other countries to pass on their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine’s front line, which was restricted until now under export regulations.
Biden said that M-1 Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. He said that this also highlight’s U.S.’s enduring commitment to Ukraine.
Speaking to the media, Biden said, “They need to be able to counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term. They need to improve their ability to manoeuvre in open terrain, and they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term.”
Taking it to twitter, Biden tweeted,
Today, I announced that the United States will send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine – evidence of our enduring and unflagging commitment to Ukraine and our confidence in the skill of Ukrainian forces.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 25, 2023
As I told President Zelenskyy, we're with Ukraine for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/OvG3Yh55kx
Thanking Biden, the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted
Thank you @POTUS for another powerful decision to provide Abrams to 🇺🇦. Grateful to 🇺🇸 people for leadership support! It's an important step on the path to victory. Today the free world is united as never before for a common goal – liberation of 🇺🇦. We're moving forward
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 25, 2023
Besides, Biden lauded the German move and stressed Western unity against the Russian invasion, saying that Russian President – Vladimir Putin failed in his efforts to drive a wedge between the U.S. and European powers.
Biden also had a phone call with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom (U.K.) where he discussed close coordination on support for Ukraine.
Biden said that delivering the tanks to Ukraine will take time and the U.S. will use that time to ensure that Ukrainians are fully prepared to integrate the fighting vehicles into their defences.
Russia said that sending arms to Ukraine will prolong and intensify the conflict. The Russian Embassy in Berlin has warned that supplying tanks to Ukraine would lead to a permanent escalation. But Biden said that U.S. and European support for Kyiv is defensive in nature and there is no offensive threat to Russia.
