The United States will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, joining Germany, which will contribute 14 Leopard armored vehicles, President Joe Biden announced Wednesday. This is a reinforcement of the Ukrainian combat capacity for a value of 400 million dollars.
But the shipment of the Abrams is not imminent. It could take a few months, US military sources stressed to the AP agency, although without specifying much data. One of the sources said that before sending the armored vehicles, it will be necessary to proceed to reorganize the mechanized contingents that will contribute to the effort in proportion to their capabilities.
“Germany has really stepped up,” Biden said. “The expectation on the part of Russia was that we were going to separate, but we are completely, totally and truly united,” he stressed.
The shipment of the 31 tanks joins that of 14 Leopards by Germany, a contribution that represents a major symbolic victory for Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia since it was invaded nearly a year ago.
“Putin expected that our support for Ukraine would collapse over time. He was wrong. These tanks are further evidence of our longstanding and unrelenting commitment to Ukraine and our confidence in the ability of Ukrainian forces,” Biden said.
The president approved the tanks as part of a $400 million acquisition through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a fund set aside by Congress to support Ukraine.
The tanks will be accompanied by an unannounced number of 120mm howitzers and other ammunition, eight tactical recovery vehicles, support vehicles and equipment, plus necessary maintenance training, according to the State Department.
Following the words of the US president, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any shipment of Abrams tanks would be a waste of money, since they “burn” like others in Ukraine. Furthermore, he stressed, this “is not going to substantially change the conflict.”
The head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, hailed the announcements about the tanks as a “historic day” that would help determine the outcome of the war.
Responding to a reporter’s question, Biden insisted that the US decision was not in response to German pressure. “Germany didn’t force me to change my mind, we wanted to make sure we were all together,” he said.
The news comes after weeks of wrangling between US and European leaders, particularly the Germans, who have long resisted sending their own Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Biden spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz several times this month about assistance to Ukraine. The two nations announced last month that they would send Patriot missile systems to help defend Ukrainian cities, said a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
