On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced his approval to send 31 Abrams M1 main battle tanks to Ukraine as the war with Russia approaches the one-year mark.
Biden told reporters, “With spring approaching, Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter offenses 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. They need to improve their ability to maneuver and open terrain, and they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term.”
“Today, I’m announcing that the United States will be sending 31 Abram tanks to Ukraine, the equivalent of one Ukrainian battalion,” he continued, adding that the U.S. will also supply the parts and equipment needed to maintain the tanks, and that Ukrainian troops will be trained on on sustainment, logistics, and maintenance “as soon as possible.”
However, Biden noted, “Delivering these tanks to the field is going to take time.”
Shortly after Biden’s statements, the Department of Defense announced a $400 million package under its Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). The package is set to include the 31 Abrams main battle tanks with 120mm rounds, ammunition, eight Tactical Vehicles for recovering equipment, support vehicles and equipment, as well as funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.
“This $400 million USAI package represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine,” the DOD said in a press release, which brings the total amount of U.S. money sent to Ukraine to about $113 billion.
Yet the Biden administration claims that our country is in debt because they have not raised taxes. I wonder if it has ever crossed their mind to stop sending money to literally every other country in the world and focus on our own issues for once.
Earlier on Wednesday, Germany also announced that it was sending 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. With both statements nearly back to back, whispers of WWIII have already begun swirling on the internet.
WATCH Biden’s statement here:
