It is support in view of a possible counter-offensive to the Russian invasion in the spring. After weeks of hesitation, the United States and Germany announced, Wednesday, January 25, the delivery of heavy tanks to Ukraine. “This is not an offensive threat against Russia”, wanted to assure the American president Joe Biden. Follow our live.
Leopard 2 soon to be delivered. Berlin must provide kyiv with 14 Leopard 2 type 2A6 from the stocks of its army, the Bundeswehr, and has decided to allow its Western allies with these German-made tanks to do the same. The Leopards go “strengthen the defensive capacity” of Ukraine, estimated the United Kingdom, which has committed to delivering 14 Challenger 2 heavy tanks.
The United States announces deliveries. In the footsteps of the German Chancellor, US President Joe Biden announced the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks. However, this delivery should not take place before “several months”, according to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. The announcement is a turnaround for the United States, which until now has been reluctant to provide its most advanced heavy tanks to kyiv, citing maintenance and training reasons.
An “extremely dangerous decision”, believes the Kremlin. “This convinces us once again that Germany, like its closest allies, does not want a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis and wants a permanent escalation.”reacted the Russian ambassador in Berlin, Sergei Netchaev. “It is an extremely dangerous decision that will bring the conflict to a new level of confrontation”he added.