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Republicans and even some Democrats are pressing the Biden administration and the government of Germany to bolster Ukraine’s military resistance with frontline tanks.
It comes amid a tense diplomatic standoff between Washington and Munich over who, if at all, will agree to the massive arms increase first.
Ukraine’s government has been calling for main battle tanks to help fight Russian troops since Vladimir Putin first ordered their invasion early last year.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham became one of the latest US lawmakers to reaffirm Kyiv’s request after he traveled to the war-torn country in a bipartisan delegation last week.
‘The debacle over sending tanks to Ukraine must end. It is impossible for Ukraine to drive out Russia without tanks,’ Graham said in a statement on his return Sunday.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (4th from right) meets with US Senator Lindsey Graham (3rd from right), Senator Richard Blumenthal (4th from left) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse ( 3rd from left to right) in Kyiv, Ukraine on January 20, 2023
The bipartisan delegation is the latest show of support from the US Congress for the Ukrainian resistance.
“I hope that both Germany and the United States will send tanks as soon as possible, opening the desire of other countries to help Ukraine. Tanks are decisive in driving Russia out of the Ukraine.”
Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon told DailyMail.com on Monday that US and European officials needed to “stop the delays” and send Ukraine the military aid it is requesting, but suggested that Leopard tanks from Germany might be the best route.
It is in our national interest to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend its sovereignty and the security of its people: The Biden Administration and European allies must stop the delays and start delivering better armor, air defense, and long-range precision. weapons,’ Bacon said.
“On the subject of tanks, the most important factor is what system can be delivered, online, and combat-effective in the shortest possible time.”
He explained: “Given the complex logistics of training, supporting and repairing these armor systems, it is my understanding that the German Leopard 2, the main battle tank used by most NATO members, would be the fastest and preferred option. “.
On Sunday, Graham noted that the world’s most important national security forum, the Munich Security Conference, will be held in Germany next month.
“It would be incredibly shameful to have a meeting of the free world in Munich while Ukraine’s military needs have not been met,” said the conservative senator.
He traveled to Kyiv along with Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
They join growing calls for the US to send its elite Abrams main battle tanks (pictured next to an M3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle) to the Ukrainian war front.
Graham called the meeting “unbelievable” and said the wartime leader’s international vows of cooperation to help the people “would ring hollow if the United States, Germany and others did not supply Ukraine with tanks to counter the upcoming Russian offensive and drive out Russia of Ukraine”. .’
On the House side, Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul suggested Sunday on ABC News ‘This Week’ that the US shipment of tanks could “unleash” Germany into do the same.
“What I hear is that Germany is waiting for us to take the lead,” the Texas Republican said.
“There are about 10 countries that have Leopard tanks, but they need Germany to approve the launch.”
A Ukrainian soldier practices with a mortar at his mortar position heading towards Bakhmut, Ukraine, as military mobility continues in the Russo-Ukrainian war on January 21, 2023.
He added: “I think even saying we’re going to put up Abrams tanks would be enough to unleash Germany.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told US lawmakers on the sidelines of last week’s Davos summit that he would not send Germany’s Leopard tanks, which are among the most advanced today, until the Americans send Abrams tanks. from Ukraine, according to political.
But on Sunday, Germany’s foreign minister signaled that a way forward is still feasible.
She told a French television station that her government “would not get in the way” if Poland wanted to send the Leopard battle tanks it obtained from Munich to the Ukrainian front, the Associated Press reported.
Warsaw has not requested such a shipment, but indicates that the West intends to see Ukraine’s needs met as the tides of war steadily turn against Moscow’s offensive.