Status: 01/25/2023 7:25 pm
Now US President Biden has also confirmed that the US wants to deliver 31 M1 “Abrams” main battle tanks to Ukraine. But it can take months before delivery.
Just hours after the German promise of Leopard tanks for Kyiv, the US government announced that it would deliver 31 M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine. The information was confirmed by the President of the United States, Joe Biden. The US delivery is the size of a Ukrainian tank battalion, Biden said at the White House.
The delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to Biden, “will take time”. Time now must be used to ensure Ukrainians are fully prepared to “integrate Abrams tanks into their defenses,” Biden said. “The ‘Abrams’ tanks are the most powerful tanks in the world, but they are also extremely complex to operate and maintain.” A representative of the US government spoke about the fact that even “months” can pass before an actual extradition.
Biden said the main battle tanks would “boost Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives”. “It is not an offensive threat to Russia,” the US president emphasized. “It’s about helping Ukraine, defending and protecting the Ukrainian land.” Russia can end the war at any time and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
So far the delivery has been refused
After weeks of back and forth, the federal government in Berlin announced that it wanted to deliver 14 German “Leopard” main battle tanks to Ukraine. The aim is to quickly unite two tank battalions with tanks “Leopard 2” said in Berlin. For their part, European partners would supply tanks for this purpose.
The federal government rejected such a handover for weeks and stressed that it did not want to do it alone at the national level. US politicians therefore urged Biden to deliver “Abrams” tanks to Ukraine to allow the German delivery of “Leopard” tanks.
Until now, the US government has refused to supply Ukraine with “Abrams” tanks. The Department of Defense in Washington argued that the main battle tank was too expensive, required extensive training, was difficult to maintain, and consumed too much fuel with its turbine.
“Unity Signal”
Biden thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his “strong leadership” and “unwavering commitment” to supporting Ukraine. Germany has really made a strong case, the Chancellor is a strong voice for unity and a close friend.
“Germany didn’t force me to change my mind,” Biden said when asked by a journalist about the US government’s change of heart. “The United States stands with its allies and partners and will continue to do all it can to support Ukraine.”
Berlin-Washington Vote: US Gives Ukraine 31 Abrams Tanks
Ralf Borchard, ARD Washington, January 25, 2023 6:42 pm