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LIVE UPDATES: Pentagon Confirms New Ukraine Aid Package With 31 Abrams Tanks Worth $400Mln

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Russia started a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 following the request of the people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk to protect their citizens in the wake of increased attacks from Ukraine.

2023-01-25T07:57+0000

2023-06-19T12:47+0000

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Troops from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division lean on an M1A1 Abrams main battle tank as a convoy passes in the background at an assembly point in afternoon on Sunday, Jan. 21, 1991 in Saudi Arabia. Troops from the 1st Infantry Division have taken up positions close to the border with Kuwait - Sputnik International

LIVE UPDATES: Pentagon Confirms New Ukraine Aid Package With 31 Abrams Tanks Worth $400Mln

07:57 GMT 25.01.2023 (Updated: 12:47 GMT 19.06.2023)

Since October 10, the Russian military has been carrying out precision strikes on Ukrainian energy and military infrastructure in response to Ukrainian terrorist attacks on Russian territory, in particular the bombing of the Crimean Bridge carried out by Ukrainian intelligence service.

Earlier this month fierce battles in Donetsk took place with Russian forces successfully liberating strategic town of Soledar. The capture of the strategic settlement will make it possible to cut off supply routes used by Ukrainian forces in nearby Artemovsk.

When Russia started its special military operation in Ukraine to protect the people of Donbass from Ukrainian aggression, Western countries boosted military aid to Kiev. Ukraine has long been asking for M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 battle tanks, but the Western countries were reluctant, fearing possible escalation. However, reportedly, now the US and Germany are ready to supply Ukraine with these military vehicles.

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02:28 GMT 26.01.2023

Canada May Send Up to 5 Leopard Tanks to Ukraine

Canada may send up to five Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine but has yet to make a decision, The Globe and Mail Newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed official.

The CBC broadcaster reported, citing senior government officials, that Ottawa is considering the supply of 4-5 Leopard tanks to Kiev and may announce the delivery as early as Thursday. One of the sources told the broadcaster that Canada is likely to send Leopard 2A4 tanks — the oldest series in Ottawa's inventory.

According to the broadcaster, the Canadian military has 112 Leopard tanks, 82 of which are battle tanks, and 30 are designed to erect or destroy obstacles and perform other tasks.

Earlier on Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had no announcement to make regarding deliveries of Leopard tanks to Ukraine but was looking at what more Ottawa can do to help Kiev.

02:17 GMT 26.01.2023

a British flag is blown by the wind near to Big Ben's clock tower in front of the UK Houses of Parliament in central London - Sputnik International, 1920, 26.01.2023

Military

Report: UK Not Mulling Supply of Military Aircraft to Ukraine Seeing It 'Too Escalatory'

26 January 2023, 02:22 GMT

00:18 GMT 26.01.2023

Ukrainian soldiers move a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer into position to fire at Russian positions - Sputnik International, 1920, 26.01.2023

Military

US Tanks Will Be Threat to Russian Troops in Ukraine - Not to Russia Itself, White House Claims

26 January 2023, 00:24 GMT

23:12 GMT 25.01.2023

Air Raid Warnings Issued in Ukrainian Regions

23:10 GMT 25.01.2023

Barbed wire Israeli flag - Sputnik International, 1920, 25.01.2023

Military

Biden Administration Reportedly Urged Israel to Transfer Hawk Missiles to Ukraine

25 January 2023, 23:15 GMT

20:46 GMT 25.01.2023

Switzerland May Lose Credibility by Allowing Re-Export of Weapons to Ukraine - Councillor

Switzerland's credibility as a neutral country could be lost in the case of re-export of the country's weapons to parties of military conflict, Swiss Federal Councillor Alain Berset said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Swiss parliament committee approved amendments allowing third countries to re-export Swiss-made arms to Ukraine. The parliament is yet to vote on the bill.

"Given the special role that Switzerland plays in the world, it is necessary to question the authority of Switzerland as a neutral country in case of re-export of Swiss weapons to the war zone," Berset said in an interview with the Swiss broadcaster RTS.

18:43 GMT 25.01.2023

Mexican President Condemns Germany's Decision to Send Tanks to Ukraine

Berlin decided to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine contrary to people's wishes and under pressure from the media, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday.

"The global oligarchy uses media influence to subjugate governments. For example, Germany did not want to get involved in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and against [the will] of the German people or the majority of Germans, the government decided to send more weapons to Ukraine. [It happened] because of the pressure from the German media, and it happens everywhere," he said at a press conference.

The Russian Embassy in Mexico has expressed its gratitude to Lopez Obrador for his "open and honest position" over the issue.

17:37 GMT 25.01.2023

Norway Ready to Deliver Tanks to Ukraine, Defense Minister Says

Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said on Wednesday that the country is ready to deliver tanks to Ukraine, without specifying the exact number.

"Tanks are in great demand now. Norway and the government support the delivery of tanks to Ukraine. Norway should not stand aside," Graham told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

The minister did not specify the exact number and modification of tanks that the country is ready to supply, but added that Norway is ready to train Ukrainian servicemen in order to "support Ukraine as much as possible."

17:30 GMT 25.01.2023

Pentagon Confirms New Ukraine Aid Package With 31 Abrams Tanks Worth $400Mln

The US Defense Department on Wednesday confirmed that the new security package for Ukraine, which includes 31 Abrams M1 main battle tanks, is worth $400 million.

"This $400 million USAI [Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative] package represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine," the Defense Department said in a press release.

17:04 GMT 25.01.2023

WATCH: Biden Speaks on US Military Assistance to Ukraine

President Joe Biden responds to a reporters question after speaking about the economy in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Washington. - Sputnik International, 1920, 25.01.2023

Americas

Joe Biden Speaks on US Military Assistance to Ukraine

25 January 2023, 17:02 GMT

16:41 GMT 25.01.2023

Paris to Deliver First AMX 10RC Armored Vehicles to Ukraine in February

The first AMX 10RC armored vehicles, which France is sending to Ukraine, will be delivered in February, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Wednesday.

"We want to act as quickly as possible. I expect that the first deliveries will be made in early February," Lecornu said on air of France 5 channel.

The minister noted that France does not disclose a specific number of armored vehicles supplied to Ukraine for security reasons.

"We treat this with caution. The Russians said they plan to strike at logistics chains through which Western military aid can pass, so we are more cautious about the timing and quantity of deliveries," Lecornu said.

16:35 GMT 25.01.2023

Biden Holds Call With Macron, Scholz, Sunak Ahead of Expected Announcement on Abrams Tanks for Ukraine

President Joe Biden spoke with his counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom to discuss support for Ukraine, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday.

"President Biden spoke this morning with President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom as part of our close coordination on support for Ukraine," Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

The United States is expected to announce later on Wednesday that it will provide Abrams M1 main battle tanks to Ukraine.

16:33 GMT 25.01.2023

16:32 GMT 25.01.2023

Tank deliveries cover - Sputnik International, 1920, 25.01.2023

Multimedia

What Countries Deliver Tanks to Ukraine?

25 January 2023, 16:30 GMT

16:15 GMT 25.01.2023

Trudeau Says Has No Announcement to Make on Leopard Tanks for Ukraine

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday he has no announcement to make regarding deliveries of Leopard 2A6s to Ukraine, but is looking at what more Ottawa can do to help Kiev.

"We will continue to be there, to give whatever support we can to Ukraine. I won’t be making an announcement today, but I can tell you we are looking very, very closely at what more we can do to support Ukraine," Trudeau said during a press conference.

The prime minister added he hopes to have more information to share in the coming days.

15:39 GMT 25.01.2023

Swiss Parliament to Vote on Arms Re-Export to Ukraine No Earlier Than Spring

The Swiss parliament will vote in the coming months on two bills that seek to lift a ban on the re-export of Swiss weapons to Ukraine, with decisions expected in spring or summer.

The Security Policy Committees of the lower house of parliament approved a motion on Tuesday to allow allies to resell Swiss arms if the UN Security Council says that a violation of international laws on the use of force has occurred. A separate proposal suggests lifting the ban on the re-export of Swiss military equipment to Ukraine.

Sputnik learned from the committees' secretariat that the motion would go before parliament during the spring session, ending on March 17. It needs the approval of both chambers and all citizens, who will vote on it in a referendum. The parliamentary proposal will be put before the legislature sometime in summer and may go to a public vote after it is adopted.

Switzerland has been under pressure from Germany, Spain and Denmark to allow them to send Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine. Russia has criticized the West for funneling lethal weapons to its neighbor instead of enabling peace talks and warned that further efforts to arm Ukraine will only prolong the conflict.

15:25 GMT 25.01.2023

German Chancellor Says Doesn't Know Cost of Tanks Deliveries to Kiev, But Berlin Will Bear These Costs

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday that he did not know how much it would cost to deliver Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but Germany "will bear the cost itself."

"I can't say for sure, but we will bear the cost ourselves," Scholz said at a joint press conference with Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, answering the question of how much the delivery of German Leopard tanks to Kiev will cost in total.

14:45 GMT 25.01.2023

US Will Send 31 M1 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine in Deal Valued at $400 Million, American Media Reports

The United States will send 31 M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine in a deal valued at $400 million, a Bloomberg reporter said via Twitter on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden will deliver remarks on continued support for Ukraine on Wednesday at noon (17:00 GMT) amid reports that Washington is set to send dozens of Abrams tanks to Kiev to repel Russia's offensive.

Earlier in the day, Germany announced it will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Ukraine has requested at least 300 main battle tanks and considers them a game changer in the conflict with Russia.

M1A1 Abrams tank - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.01.2023

What is the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Biden Wants to Send to Ukraine?

24 January 2023, 20:49 GMT

14:31 GMT 25.01.2023

Finland Preparing to Supply Ukraine With Leopard 2 Tanks

Finland is preparing to join a group of countries willing to supply the Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, even though a schedule for possible delivery is yet to be set, Finnish Defense Minister Mikko Savola said on Wednesday.

"The decision of the international community to transfer Leopard to Ukraine is gaining momentum and Finland is going to take part in this," Savola told a press briefing.

The minister did not specify how Finland was planning to participate in the project, but said that the Finnish defense forces would start the preparations.

Meanwhile, Portugal intends to provide Ukraine with four Leopard 2 tanks, the Correio da Manha newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Portugal now has 37 Leopard 2 tanks, with 12 of them in working condition, the news outlet added.

14:14 GMT 25.01.2023

Biden to Deliver Remarks on Support for Ukraine at Noon Amid Expected Abrams Announcement

On Tuesday, media outlets reported that Washington could announce as early as this week the delivery of a "significant number" of the M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, possibly between 30 and 50. The announcement reportedly would be part of a broader deal with Germany, which is also expected to pledge the supply of a small number of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.