Ukraine will get all the help it needs to fight against Russian troops, US President Joe Biden told a journalist when asked if he supports Poland's goal of sending German-made tanks to Ukraine, CNN reports.
In recent days, German officials said that they will not send their Leopard tanks to Ukraine — or allow any other country with German-made tanks in their inventory to do so. However, with one exception - if the US agrees to send American M1 Abrams tanks to Kyiv. This has been repeatedly denied by the Pentagon, given the logistical costs of maintaining these armored vehicles.
According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Western allies have not yet reached an agreement on supplying Ukraine with Leopard 2 main battle tanks. However, the official instructed the institution he leads to prepare for "the day that may come ".
France, Poland and the United Kingdom have pledged to soon send tanks for the Ukrainian military to use in its efforts to protect itself from Russia. Finland is considering to do it so.
Germany has said it will transfer infantry fighting vehicles to Kiev, but has not yet committed to sending tanks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz insisted that any such plan would have to be fully coordinated with the entire Western alliance, including the United States.
According to Reuters, a group of 11 NATO member countries, participating in a meeting in Estonia on Thursday aimed at increasing military aid to Ukraine, agreed to provide it with new weapons and signed a joint statement asking other states to step up their aid for the Ukrainian army, especially with tanks and other heavy weapons.
