On Wednesday evening, US President Joe Biden stated that the country is sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to several news agencies.
- This is clearly an escalation of support for Ukraine, says SVT's US correspondent Stefan Åström in SVT Nyheter Direkt.
The announcement comes on the same day that Germany announced that it will deliver Leopard 2 to Ukraine.
Norway also confirmed on Wednesday evening that it plans to send Leopard wagons.
Advanced technology
According to Stefan Åström, it is very advanced tanks that will now be sent to Ukraine.
- Long training is required, a lot of maintenance is required to handle these tanks, he says.
It will take some time before the wagons reach Ukraine and it is uncertain whether they will be in place before the expected Russian spring offensive.
Biden promised that the United States will provide Ukraine with all the training and equipment necessary for the tanks to be put into service.
- It takes four people to control the tanks.
It is a huge adjustment for the Ukrainian military to get such advanced tanks, says Stefan Åström.
Crack in US public opinion
American public opinion has been unanimous behind the country's support for Ukraine, but now a crack is beginning to be felt in Congress.
- Republicans are starting to speak out.
Among other things, the Speaker of the House of Representatives says that "we cannot forever write open checks to Ukraine", says Åström.
The discussion about how much support the US should actually give Ukraine will likely intensify because the US economy is under pressure.