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.
After news around Michael Wolff's book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," broke, the relationship between former White House advisor Steve Bannon and President Donald Trump completely deteriorated. The former team engaged in a very public fallout, but political consultant Rick Wilson was not all surprised. Wilson joins Cheddar to break down what this means for the GOP and how a Mitt Romney Senate run could further shake the White House.
VF Hive + Between Bells: The crew from Vanity Fair’s Hive discusses the new day at 'Today.' Between Bells looks at the Trump's new war on Bannon, and why Meryl is calling out Ivanka and Melania. With Women's Health, Mental Floss, YourTango and more.
Ken Stern, Former CEO of NPR and Author of "Republican Like Me: How I Left the Liberal Bubble and Learned to Love the Right," joins The Hive. Stern, Kristen Scholer, and Jon Kelly discuss the possible demise of the American two-party system and whether the Independent Party may be able to make a run in the next election. They talk about the impact the Trump Presidency may be having on the two-party system, and whether outsiders like Mark Cuban might be realistic in 2020.
Former State Department senior adviser Haroon Ullah joins the Hive to talk about his recent piece on the information war for control in Iran. He discusses the Iranian regime's strategy in dealing with protesters and what potential impact it may have. Ullah also talks about whether Iran's problems may spill out elsewhere in the Middle East.
The White House is demanding Michael Wolff not publish his upcoming tell-all, "Fire and Fury." Axios' Alayna Treene joins Cheddar to break down the story that's turning the political and media worlds on their heads.
VF Hive editor Jon Kelly, Kristen Scholer and the rest of the Hive Panel discuss the biggest stories of the week in politics, business and technology. Emily Jane Fox reports on her story on the rise of Hoda Kotb to Matt Lauer's former spot on the 7am and 8am hours of the Today Show on NBC. She discusses the notion that this role would have traditionally gone to a male. The panel also discusses a report on Fox that NBC had access to data indicating Matt Lauer's favorability had been declining for years.
Ken Stern, Author of "Republican Like Me" and former CEO of NPR, says the "independent billionaire,...the movie star who doesn't have any political baggage, may in fact be a credible candidate."
Jed Shugerman, Professor at Fordham Law, talks Paul Manafort's lawsuit against Robert Mueller and deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, which alleges Mueller's authority in the Russia investigation is too broad.
Jack Hunter, editor at Rare Politics, weighs in on President Trump's letter, which essentially announced the end of his relationship with former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon.
Fordham Law Professor Jed Shugerman says that the former campaign chair doesn't have a case against Robert Mueller, but he is trying to appeal to President Trump and his base and is seeking a pardon.
