Biden will send 31 Abrams tanks worth $400 million to Ukraine trends now

Biden will send 31 Abrams tanks worth $400 million to Ukraine trends now
Biden will send 31 Abrams tanks worth $400 million to Ukraine trends now

Biden will send 31 Abrams tanks worth $400 million to Ukraine trends now

The Biden administration is sending an entire battalion of 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, yielding to President Volodymyr Zelensky's push for heavy armor to counter Russia's invasion.

President Joe Biden is set to announce the latest tranche of lethal military aide for Ukraine, after a complicated diplomatic dance that has Germany announcing its own decision to send 14 of its own tanks to Kiev, with more on the way. 

The U.S. is providing 500 armored vehicles as part of the package. 

'Today we’ll be announcing that the United States will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which is the equivalent of one Ukrainian tank battalion,' a senior administration official told reporters on a call Wednesday.

The Pentagon is also providing eight M88 recovery vehicles, to help keep the Abrams tanks 'up and running,' according to a senior administration official. The latest lethal aid package 'enables them … to retake territory,' said the senior administration official. The moves comes despite the Kremlin blasting it as an 'extremely dangerous' decision and a 'blatant provocation.'

The Biden administration is moving closer to sending Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, a step that would provide diplomatic cover for Germany to send its own Leopard tanks

The Biden administration is moving closer to sending Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, according to the Wall Street Journal, a step that would provide diplomatic cover for Germany to send its own Leopard tanks and approve delivery from other nations

The tanks come as the US is stepping up its 'combined forces' training for Ukrainian forces – allowing them to better integrate air, ground, and armored forces in a more sophisticated form of warfare. 

The official wouldn't confirm reports that the US tank pledge was a precondition for Germany's own decision, saying instead that the two side had an 'iterative conversation that we have been having with the Germans.'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Germany last week for an arms conference, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has been holdings talks with his counterpart. 

Biden spoke Wednesday morning with President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom 'as part of our close coordination on support for Ukraine,' according to the White House. 

The move follows earlier reports administration is close to sending Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine – a powerful weapon that the administration has resisted sending, citing practical reasons.

'It is the most capable tank in the world, but it’s also the most sophisticated,' said an administration official, noting the training and supply chain issues that come along with it.

'That will significantly strengthen their combat capabilities and demonstrates also the unity and resolve of NATO allies and partners in providing support to Ukraine,' NATO Secretary Gen. Jens Stoltenberg said of Germany's decision, speaking to CNN Wednesday, also stressing the ability to improve Ukraine's ability to retake territory.

Germany announced that it will send German built Leopard 2 battle tanks, with an initial company of 14 tanks.  The aim would be to ultimately provide two battalions worth, which would amount to 80 to 100 of them. The Leopards are widely used in western militaries, and other countries have been seeking Germany's authorization to send their own. 

The British government announced this month it would send its own squadron of 14 Challenger 2 battle tanks, while the Polish government has been girding to send 14 of its own Leopard 2s, after seeking Germany's approval. Berlin gave the green light on Wednesday.

American officials have repeatedly said the sophisticated Abrams, which guzzles fuel and needs extensive training, would not suit Ukrainian forces.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday called the moves by the US and Germany 'long overdue.'

 'Now that Berlin is taking a step, I hope that other European countries with tanks in their inventory will move expeditiously to send them to Ukraine,' he said on the Senate floor. He said modern tanks will provide 'highly maneuverable firearms to keep pressure on the Russian aggressors,' but underlined that 'time is of the

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