London:
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday promised to deliver heavy tanks to Ukraine to help Kiev’s forces “push back Russian troops”.
Sunak pledged to provide the tanks and additional artillery systems as a sign of the UK’s “ambition to step up our support for Ukraine,” according to a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The move makes the UK the first Western power to supply the Ukrainians with main battle tanks.
Ukraine’s European allies have sent Kiev more than 300 modernized Soviet tanks since Russia invaded in February 2022.
But they have so far waited to send the Western-made heavy tanks that Ukraine has repeatedly asked to advance against Russian invaders.
France said on January 4 that it would supply Kiev with the French-made AMX-10 RC – a light tank model.
And Poland said on Wednesday it was ready to send Kiev 14 advanced Leopard 2 main battle tanks as part of an international coalition.
Zelensky thanked the UK on Twitter for making decisions that “will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners”.
Sunak’s formal offer follows reports that he was preparing to sign for four British Army Challenger 2 main battle tanks to be sent to Eastern Europe immediately, with eight more to follow soon after.
The Prime Minister’s office has not yet confirmed the exact number of tanks it will send to Kiev.
A Downing Street spokesman said Sunak and Zelensky agreed on the “need to seize this moment” after the Ukrainian victories had “pushed back Russian troops”.
“The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s ambition to step up our support to Ukraine, including through the delivery of Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems,” the spokesman said.
“The Prime Minister and President Zelensky welcomed other international commitments, including Poland’s offer to provide a company of Leopard tanks.”
“The Prime Minister stressed that he and the entire British government will work intensively with international partners to rapidly deliver the kind of support that will enable Ukraine to take advantage, win this war and secure a lasting peace,” the spokesman said. .
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is being published from a syndicated feed.)
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