WASHINGTON: A new wave of Western support for an anticipated counter-offensive against a Russian invasion was signaled when the United States and Germany announced on Wednesday that they would be sending 45 top-of-the-line tanks to Ukraine. By doing so, they put aside their previous reservations and signaled a new wave of support.
Hours after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave the go-ahead for sending 14 Leopard-2 tanks to Kyiv, President Joe Biden promised 31 Abrams tanks in a televised address.
The two decisions make it possible for a number of other European nations with Leopard stocks to contribute. Even though Western nations have already provided Ukraine with everything from artillery to Patriot anti-missile defense systems, tanks were long thought to be a step too far, putting them at risk of Russia’s growing retaliation.
Biden said that increasing Western armaments for Ukraine’s military should not be interpreted as an attack on Russia, flanked by state secretary Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin.
This is all about assisting Ukraine in defending and safeguarding its land. Russia is not in any way threatened by it. Russia is not in any way threatened, according to Biden.
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Crossing new line
While Russia had made it abundantly clear that sending heavy tanks across a perilous new line, President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the pledge made by US President Abrams as “an important step on the path to victory.”
Anatoly Antonov, Moscow’s ambassador to the United States, stated that the acceptance of Abrams deliveries by the United States would be “another blatant provocation against the Russian Federation.”
Sergei Nechaev, Russia’s ambassador to Germany, issued a similar warning, stating that the “extremely dangerous decision takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation” and “contradicts statements by German politicians about the unwillingness of the German Federation to get involved in it.” Nechaev is also the ambassador of Russia to Germany.
According to a senior US official, the M1 Abrams will need to be purchased and won’t arrive in Ukraine for months, in contrast to the ready-to-go German tanks.
Multiple offers
There will be one Ukrainian battalion made up of 31 tanks. Additionally, the two decisions sparked multiple offers for additional Leopards, with Norway offering two on Wednesday and Spain announcing that it would investigate the possibility of sending the German-made tank from its own stockpile.
Poland has already stated that it will be a major supplier.
Yermak, Zelensky’s assistant, stated in Kyiv: A lot of leopards are needed. According to the White House, Biden spoke on the phone about Ukraine with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.
Jens Stoltenberg, the head of NATO, said he “strongly” supported Germany’s decision.
In order to launch counter-offensives against Russian forces occupying its territory, Kyiv has requested 300 Western tanks.
