The United States and Germany announced Wednesday that they will send tanks to Ukraine.
This is the first stage of a coordinated effort by the West to provide dozens of heavy weapons to help Kyiv break combat stalemates as Russia’s invasion enters its 12th month, according to the Associated Press.
Biden said the U.S. will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, reversing months of persistent arguments by Washington that they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain.
The U.S. decision follows Germany’s agreement to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks. Germany had said the Leopards would not be sent unless the U.S. put its Abrams on the table, not wanting to incur Russia’s wrath without the U.S. making a similar commitment.
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“This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz told German lawmakers. “It was right, and it is important that we didn’t let ourselves be driven” into the decision.
Biden said European allies have agreed to send enough tanks to equip two Ukrainian tank battalions, or a total of 62 tanks.
“With spring approaching, Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter offenses,” Biden said. “To liberate their land, they need to be able to counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Senators urged the Pentagon to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, and according to the Associated Press, preparation is underway.
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In a press briefing after a trip to Ukraine, a bipartisan group of Senators urged the Biden administration to send tanks as soon as possible.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said the issue of tanks has become “center stage” in the world.
“We’re convinced that the Ukrainians need heavy tanks, that the best tank for the fight is the German Leopard tank that American tanks can be helpful in this regard. If we send some Abrams tanks, it will open the floodgates to more tanks coming from allies,” he said.
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Graham said it is “impossible” to dislodge Russians from Ukraine without tanks.
According to Graham, the goal is to give Ukraine the weapons they need to beat Russians on the battlefield, not to send in U.S. troops or start World War III.
“I am more optimistic today than any time in recent memory about military assistance going into Ukraine in the form of tanks,” Graham said.
Graham hopes Germany will send their Leopard tanks to Ukraine, saying this is a “moment for Germany to shine” and to “be a force of good.”
“The sooner you can make this decision, the better off for the world,” he said, adding that the day Germany sends tanks and allows allies to send their tanks “is a day closer to liberating Ukraine and ending this nightmare.”
Graham urged the U.S. to lead by example and follow the precedent set by the United Kingdom as it sends 14 Challenger tanks to Ukraine.
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