US is ready to start process of transferring Abrams tanks to Ukraine: details and terms — Reuters
The United States of America is ready to begin the process of handing over dozens of Abrams M1 battle tanks to Ukraine, but this process may take months and possibly years.
This was reported to Reuters by American officials.
It should be noted that the USA may announce the transfer of tanks today.
The officials, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the announcement on the provision of the above-mentioned tanks to Ukraine could come as early as Wednesday, January 25.
It also became known that on January 25, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, will speak at the White House at 19:00 Kyiv time with a speech on the continuation of the United States' support to Ukraine.
At this moment, it has not been specified what Biden will say in his speech. However, it is noteworthy that it will occur after Berlin announced the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Another source familiar with the matter said the US could deliver about 30 Abrams tanks in the coming months.
Two officials said the Abrams would likely be purchased through a Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) fund. It allows President Joe Biden's administration to obtain weapons from industry rather than from existing US weapons stockpiles.
One official said it was possible the Biden administration could use the USAI fund to buy Abrams from allies, repair them, and then send them to Ukraine. At the same time, this process can take months or even years.
Leopard and Abrams tanks for Ukraine
The Wall Street Journal reported on January 24 that US President Joe Biden is preparing to send a "significant number" of Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, and the White House may announce the delivery as early as January 25.
According to Sky News Arabia, Biden may hand over 10 such tanks to Ukraine. Washington, they say, wants to take such a step in order to influence Germany.
With reference to three US officials, CNN reported that the terms of the actual supply of tanks and the amount of equipment are still unknown. However, the United States is finalizing the preparation of the plan to send Abrams to Ukraine.
Journalists assume that such a decision may be part of an attempt to resolve a diplomatic dispute with Germany.
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said on Tuesday that the issue of supplying tanks "will be resolved relatively soon."
Previously, the Pentagon explained that they were refraining from transferring Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly due to operational difficulties.
The 10-50 tanks promised to Ukraine by various countries will not "solve the problem" on the battlefield but will play another important role — it will show the unity of the world and motivate the Ukrainian military to fight against the aggressor.
We will remind that on January 25, the German government decided to provide the Ukrainian armed forces with Leopard-2 main battle tanks.
The training of Ukrainian crews in Germany should begin soon. Ukraine will also be helped with logistics, ammunition, and maintenance of tanks.
