President Joe Biden has announced that the United States would be delivering 31 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine as the country heads into a new phase of its war against Russia.
“With spring approaching, the Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter-offensive,” President Biden said. “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.”
Biden explained that the tanks are some of the “most capable in the world,” they would improve Ukraine’s ability to fight in open terrain, and give them “an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression.”
The announcement was accompanied by Germany’s decision to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks to the nation as well.
“Germany supports Ukraine in defending against Russia’s aggression,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday. “We are supplying Leopard 2 tanks in close cooperation with our international partners.”
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Biden administration following Wednesday’s announcement.
“It’s an important step on the path to victory,” Zelenskyy said on Twitter. “Today the free world is united as never before for a common goal — liberation of Ukraine.”
However, it will likely be months before any tanks are delivered to the front and Ukrainian troops get fully trained to use the complex weapons.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Friday, July 26, 2019.
Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer during the George W. Bush administration, says Democrats should still open an impeachment inquiry into the president despite the tepid response to Mueller's testimony.
Amid ongoing resistance from employees about Microsoft’s contracts with the U.S. military, CEO Satya Nadella issued a broad defense this week of the company’s work with the U.S government and said America’s democratic process serves as a key check on the deployment of new technology.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Thursday, July 25, 2019.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Wednesday, July 24, 2019.
With all eyes on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, former Special Counsel Robert Mueller began his much-anticipated testimony by largely repeating what he outlined in April in his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, - but stating very clearly that in the investigation, “the president was not exculpated for the acts that he allegedly committed.”
Tuesday’s 97-2 vote in the Senate to extend permanent protections for 9/11 first responders came after many years of activists' visits to Capitol Hill. And minutes after the lopsided vote, responder John Feal made sure to alert lawmakers that his days of tirelessly knocking down their doors are thankfully coming to a close, saying, "We’ll put down our swords."
With a vote of 97-2, the Senate passed a bill Tuesday that will fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund through 2090.
Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans are protesting in the streets of San Juan, calling for embattled governor Ricardo Rosselló to resign. Victoria Leandra, Journalist and Producer at VICE News, joined Cheddar to discuss the latest.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Tuesday, July 23, 2019.
