Zelensky Thanks Allies Following German, US Tank Announcements

On Wednesday, January 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Western allies for their support, after Germany and the United States announced they would supply modern battle tanks to Ukraine.

Earlier on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave the green light for the delivery of German-made Leopard II tanks after weeks of pressure from Kyiv and NATO allies. A government statement said allies with Leopard II tanks, such as Poland, would also be granted permits to donate them to the Ukrainian military.

Scholz’s announcement was followed hours later by a similar pledge from US President Joe Biden, who said the US would send Ukraine 31 M1 Abrams tanks.

“Today is a day of extremely good news for Ukraine,” Zelensky said in his nightly address on Wednesday. “There is a tank coalition. There is a decision to launch the supply of tanks for our defense. Modern tanks.”

Zelensky went on to thank Scholz, Biden and other Western allies “for their willingness to strengthen the defense of Europe.”

“I am grateful to all our allies for their willingness to provide us with modern and much-needed tanks,” Zelensky said, describing the collective effort to support Ukraine as “historic.” Credit: President of Ukraine via Storyful