Germany and the US to send Tanks to Ukraine

Germany has decided to send battle tanks to Ukraine to help them fight Russia, and US President Joe Biden has announced that he will also send tanks to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s announcement to send Leopard 2 tanks came in tandem with President Biden’s announcement to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Both announcements were milestones following weeks of pressure from NATO allies. Both decisions are the result of diplomatic talks between Germany, the United States and other European allies, and come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for another attack by Russia next spring. 

Biden said that sending tanks would help Ukraine “counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield”. And Biden also argued that the US shouldn’t be viewed by Moscow as an “offensive threat.”

Earlier in the day, Chancellor Scholz told the German parliament that the decision to send Leopard 2 tanks had come after consultations with Western allies.

Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly asked their Western allies to provide them with modern main battle tanks that they can use to defend themselves and fight their enemies in the coming months.

The chief of staff for President Zelensky welcomed the news and has reiterated the country’s need for “a lot” of Leopard tanks. Writing on Telegram, Andriy Yermak said, “The first tank step has been taken. Next up is the ‘ tank coalition’. We need a lot of Leopards.”