German-made  Leopard 2A7 tank (KMW) at NATO Days 2022. (Wikipedia) 

By  Gary  Raynaldo      –   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

PENTAGON   –  WASHINGTON   DC –   President Joe Biden announced today that the United States will provide Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks.  Biden said the tanks are essential  because Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and will be better prepared for additional counter-offenses.  The U.S. president’s announcement came hours after Germany confirmed it will deliver fourteen state-of-the art  Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries to export their tanks to help Ukraine fight Russian forces. German  Chancellor Olaf Scholz made the announcement speaking to parliament. Both Washington and Berlin had resisted supplying tanks to Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began last year with Moscow’s invasion.  President Biden said the tanks will help Ukraine improve operating in open terrain. 

The M1 Abrams is a modern main battle tank used by the United States (Credit: Wikipedia)

“They (Ukranian forces) need to be able to counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term. They need to improve their ability to maneuver in open terrain. And, they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term,”

-President Biden

Germany had previously been reluctant to sign off on sending its tanks to Ukraine for fear of  escalating the conflict with Russia. But Berlin came under weeks of heavy pressure from Western allies to supply tanks to Ukraine.  Germany will also permit other countries to send their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine – which was previously restricted under export regulations.  Sources say the U.S. tanks won’t reach the battlefront for many months. Germany will initially send a company of 14 tanks with  the first Leopard vehicles to be shipped to Ukraine in about 3 to 4 months,  German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on TV Wednesday. Training of Ukrainian crews will soon begin in Germany. 

US Abrams Tanks Most Capable in the World: Biden 

Biden said the Abrams are the most capable tanks in the world and noted  they are also extremely complex to operate and maintain.  Along with the tanks, the U.S. will be giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively repair and maintain these tanks on the battlefield, he said.  Biden said he had a long conversation  Wednesday morning with NATO allies, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding continued close coordination and support of Ukraine.  Biden stressed the tank shipments to Ukraine are not meant to provoke Russia. 

“This is about helping Ukraine defend and protect Ukrainian land. It is not an offensive threat to Russia,”

President Biden said