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.

Share:
More In Politics
Is This the End of the FAANG Rally?
Though FAANG stocks hit an all-time high last week, their gains could be undermined by the Trump administration's trade stand-off with China that could soon widen into the technology sector, says Jason Ware, chief investment officer at Albion Financial Group.
Supreme Court Upholds Trump's Travel Ban on Muslim Countries
The country's highest court on Tuesday ruled in favor of the travel ban the Trump administration attempted to implement last year. The court rejected the argument that the policy exceeded the president's authority and that it discriminated against Muslims.
Saudi Arabia's Lifting Women Driver Ban Is an Economic Play
Letting women drive will make them "good workers and consumers," says Hiba Zayadin, the acting Saudi researcher at Human Rights Watch. But "the power structures and systems that keep women as second-class citizens" remain prevalent., she tells Cheddar.
Lawrence O'Donnell: Trump Actually Wants You to Watch CNN
The president's consistent attacks on media outlets like CNN is "very, very good for business." But Trump has avoided directing his wrath at MSNBC since taking the White House, because the network "is much higher rated" and "he would prefer people to watch CNN," which features many pro-Trump speakers, says O'Donnell.
Was the First Lady's Fashion Faux Pas Intentional?
Melania Trump received a lot of criticism for wearing a jacket with the phrase "I DON'T REALLY CARE, DO U?" scrawled across the back on her way to meet with migrant children at the Texas-Mexico border. The bizarre choice, at such a heated moment, may have been "a very calculated move," said Vox reporter Rebecca Jennings.
Supreme Court's E-Commerce Ruling Could Help Amazon
The country's top court on Thursday ruled that states can force online retailers to charge sales taxes on purchases even if they don't have a physical presence in the state. D.A. Davidson's Tom Forte says Amazon may actually end up benefiting from that rule.
Load More