US President Biden announced Wednesday that he plans to ship 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, reversing the administration’s longstanding resistance to requests from Kyiv for the extremely subtle however upkeep-heavy autos.
Biden mentioned in White House remarks that this US assist is about serving to Ukraine “defend its sovereignty” and that sending tanks doesn’t imply it’s an “offensive threat.”
Biden’s announcement got here after Germany confirmed earlier Wednesday that it will ship 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine from its personal inventory. The two nations had gave the impression to be in standoff as German officers indicated Berlin would solely ship their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine if the US despatched the M-1 Abrams tanks.
If you might be simply studying in, here is what you must find out about right this moment’s developments:
Why that is important: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg informed CNN’s Kate Bolduan on “At This Hour” Wednesday that the tanks “will significantly strengthen” Kyiv’s fight capabilities. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has constantly requested Western allies for contemporary tanks as his nation prepares for an anticipated main Russian counteroffensive within the spring.
With each the US and Germany pledging to ship tanks to Ukraine, different international locations, particularly these with the German-made tanks, have additionally introduced contributions to the entrance strains. CNN can’t affirm the overall variety of Leopard 2 tanks to be delivered, however pledges made by multiple countries so far imply the Ukrainian army is in line to obtain dozens of the tanks. Germany’s fundamental governing celebration mentioned on Wednesday that Ukraine’s Western allies will ship the nation a total of around 80 Leopard 2 fundamental battle tanks.
Why ship tanks now: Sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine will present Kyiv’s forces with a contemporary and highly effective army automobile forward of a possible Russian spring offensive. It can even come as a blow to the Kremlin, which has seen a rising marketing campaign to equip Ukrainian troops with excessive-tech combating programs as Russia’s floor struggle nears the one-yr mark.
Speaking forward of Biden’s announcement, senior US officers framed the choice as an funding in Ukraine’s “longer term capabilities,” a sign the administration sees the now 11-month-lengthy struggle extending nicely into the longer term. Ukraine hopes the brand new tanks may help it retake territory seized by Russia, together with within the Donbas. That might additionally embody Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Possible challenges: The Abrams tanks will take months to reach, senior Biden administration officers mentioned, and would require in depth coaching for Ukrainian troops on the best way to function and repair them. The US should navigate sophisticated provide chains for the elements required for the tanks.
The procurement course of will take months, the officers mentioned, although Germany’s Leopards will arrive within the nearer time period. In the meantime, the US will start a “comprehensive training program” for the Ukrainians on the Abrams, which would require important upkeep as soon as they’re deployed. The coaching will happen outdoors Ukraine.
The Portuguese international minister said Wednesday it can take two to 3 months earlier than Western-donated Leopard 2 tanks are absolutely operational in Ukraine.
Watch CNN’s Jim Sciutto break down the newest on the tanks:
CNN’s Kevin Liptak, Stephanie Halasz, Sophie Tanno and Sugam Pokharel contributed reporting to this submit.
