Biden says US will send armored combat vehicles to Ukraine
Mike Brest
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President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. will provide Ukraine’s armed forces with armored combat vehicles.
The president made the announcement about the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles on Thursday in a joint statement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also pledged to provide Ukraine with Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Both leaders said their countries will provide Ukrainians training on how to use the tanks.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked for tanks, though the U.S. and western countries have been reluctant to provide some weapons to Ukraine due to the perceived potential for Russian retaliation or escalation.
“In light of Russia’s ongoing missile and drone attacks against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, President Biden and Chancellor Scholz affirmed their intention to further support Ukraine’s urgent requirement for air defense capabilities,” the readout said. “In late December, the United States announced its donation of a Patriot air defense missile battery to Ukraine. Germany will join the United States in supplying an additional Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine.”
Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters on Thursday that the Bradly armored vehicle “is an armored vehicle that has a firepower capability that can deliver troops into combat. So, again, it will provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s already impressive armored capabilities and we’re confident that it will aid them on the battlefield.”
He also said the next security assistance package, which will include the armored vehicles, will likely be announced on Friday.
A day earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to send “wheeled tanks” to Ukraine.
“We will receive more armored vehicles, in particular wheeled tanks of French production,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday. “This is what sends a clear signal to all our other partners: there is no rational reason why Ukraine has not yet been supplied with Western-type tanks.”
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“I will continue such diplomatic activity every day — this marathon of negotiations with the leaders of partner states and friends of Ukraine around the world,” he added. “Each of our partners will have very specific information about our defense needs. And we all have the same goal: to put an end to Russian aggression as soon as possible, to restore reliable and lasting peace.”