Australia Reports Abrams Tanks on Way to Ukraine
(MENAFN) Australia has reportedly assured Ukraine that its retired fleet of Abrams tanks is "on the way" to the country to aid in its defense against Russia, an Australian broadcaster reported on Monday.
During a meeting in Rome on Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed Australia's commitment to exerting "whatever we can" to pressure Russia.
Despite an earlier pledge by the Albanese government last year to donate the tanks, their transfer had been delayed, with Australian defense sources partially attributing this to resistance from the United States, according to the broadcaster.
U.S. officials are reportedly still privately expressing their discontent with Australia's decision to donate the tanks, even as the vehicles commence their long journey by sea to the conflict zone.
An anonymous U.S. official told the broadcaster, "Last year, even before Donald Trump returned as president, we warned the Australians that sending these Abrams tanks would be complicated, and once they finally get to the battlefield, the Ukrainians will find them difficult to sustain."
The recent discussions between Albanese and Zelenskyy centered on identifying further ways Australia could increase pressure on Russia.
To date, Australia has committed approximately AUD$1.5 billion ($962 million) in support to Ukraine.
Albanese refrained from disclosing any specifics regarding the delivery timeline for the tanks to the press, indicating that such information could jeopardize Ukraine's war efforts.
Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Albanese for the update on the tanks and commended Australia's support in Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression.
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