Germany to Send Tanks to Ukraine, With U.S. Set to Follow

Germany will send 14 of its modern Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine as part of a coordinated push with the U.S. and other allies to escalate their support for Kyiv ahead of an expected Russian offensive, the government said Wednesday.

The announcement follows days of intense diplomacy between Berlin and Washington, which is expected to announce a donation of up to 50 U.S.-made Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine later Wednesday.

In addition to pledging German tanks, Berlin said other countries would provide German-made tanks out of their own stocks as part of a broad coalition to boost Kyiv’s armed forces. The goal would be to quickly put together two tank battalions’ worth of Leopard 2 tanks, with the initial battalion arriving in Ukraine within three months, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Wednesday. Two battalions typically comprise close to 100 tanks.

Whether the tanks will arrive in Ukraine for the next phase of the war is uncertain. Military experts have warned that Russia is preparing for a spring offensive using mobilized personnel whose training is now nearing completion and who are gradually being moved closer to the front lines. U.S. officials have said that the delivery of Abrams tanks would take several months.