WATCH: Biden announces 31 Abrams tanks will be sent to Ukraine for fight against Russian invasion
PBS NewsHourMAR 10 2023
Following days of hesitation and mounting pressure, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday announced that his government would provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks while approving requests for other countries to do the same.
Germany said it would initially send 14 tanks from its own stocks, while stating that the aim was for Germany and its allies to send a total of two battalions, equivalent to 88 vehicles. "This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners," Sholz said.
Following Germany's announcement, Russia's ambassador to the country, Sergei Nechayev, hit out at the decision and said it takes the conflict to a new level, saying "This extremely dangerous decision takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation..."
The decision by Germany and the US to send battle tanks is momentous because these — unlike missile defense systems for instance — are not considered defensive weapons. Despite the slight disarray, this signals to Russia that Western allies are committed to fully backing Ukraine in the war and seeing that it comes out victorious.
While Russia will destroy these tanks like all other NATO equipment, this escalation unmasks the West's real intention in Ukraine which is seeking the strategic defeat of Russia. This move should leave no illusions as to who the real aggressors are in this conflict.