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President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that the U.S. will send 31 of its frontline battle tanks to Ukraine, following through on a significant request from Kyiv for armored vehicles as Ukrainian forces prepare for a new Russian offensive.
The M1 Abrams tanks, which the Biden administration was previously reluctant to provide, are viewed as critical to stave off a springtime offensive by Russian forces and to help the Ukrainians claw back parts of their country seized during the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
„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,“ Biden said in remarks from the White House Roosevelt Room.
It could take months to deliver the tanks because the U.S. has to purchase them through a procurement process.
The move marks a reversal for the Biden administration, which had resisted sending the tanks, and comes as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced his country would provide 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks for Ukraine’s military. Britain said earlier this month it will provide 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks. France plans to contribute 10 armed fighting vehicles.
Biden touted a „worldwide commitment“ to Ukraine, pointing to wartime contributions from other NATO allies.
„Today’s announcement builds on the hard work and commitment from countries around the world, led by the United States of America, to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,“ Biden said. „It is not an offensive threat to Russia.“
Asked by a reporter whether Germany convinced the U.S. to change its position on the thanks, Biden said, „Germany didn’t force me to change my mind. We wanted to make sure we were all together.“
Ukraine has said it needs 300 tanks to fight off Russian forces. The U.S. will provide training for the Ukrainians on how to operate and service the tanks in an unspecified location outside Ukraine.
As it nears one year since Putin invaded Ukraine last February, Biden said the U.
