'Tanks will help reduce casualties among our soldiers ΓÇª then gain new results and win this war quicker,' said Oleksander Syrotiuk, commander of a company in the 17th Tank Brigade deployed in Bakhmut. Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines welcomed the news, saying the decision comes at a critical point. 'Sincerely grateful to the chancellor and all our friends in (Germany).' Just heard about these important and timely decisions in a call with Olaf Scholz,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. 'German main battle tanks, further broadening of defence support and training missions, green light for partners to supply similar weapons. Several European countries have equipped their armies with Leopard 2 tanks, and Germany's announcement means they can give some of their stocks to Ukraine.

'To liberate their land, they need to be able to counter Russia's evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term.' 'With spring approaching, Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter offenses,' Biden said. 'It was right, and it is important that we didn't let ourselves be driven' into the decision.īiden said European allies have agreed to send enough tanks to equip two Ukrainian tank battalions, or a total of 62 tanks.

'This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners,' Chancellor Olaf Scholz told German lawmakers. put its Abrams on the table, not wanting to incur Russia's wrath without the U.S. Germany had said the Leopards would not be sent unless the U.S. decision follows Germany agreeing to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks. Complete coverage of the war in Ukraine.will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, reversing months of persistent arguments by Washington that they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain.

Germany and the United States said Wednesday they will send tanks to Ukraine, the first stage of a co-ordinated effort by the West to provide dozens of the heavy weapons to help Kyiv break battlefield stalemates as Russia's invasion enters its 12th month.

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