US and Germany sending battle tanks to back Ukraine war effort

A Leopard 2A6 main battle tank drives across a training area in Munster, Germany (Philipp Schulze/dpa via AP, file)

Germany and the United States have said they will send tanks to Ukraine, the first stage of a co-ordinated effort by the West to provide dozens of the heavy weapons to help Kyiv break battlefield stalemates as Russia’s invasion enters its 12th month.

President Joe Biden said the US will send 31 M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, reversing months of persistent arguments by Washington that the tanks were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain.