According to the Ukrainian envoy to France, 321 tanks would be delivered to Ukraine by Western nations.
In an interview with French TV station and CNN affiliate BFM television on Friday, Vadym Omelchenko stated, “As of today, various countries have officially confirmed their agreement to provide 321 heavy tanks to Ukraine.”
He did not list the nations that would supply the tanks or break down which models will be supplied.
The estimate from Omelchenko follows this week’s commitments from the US to provide 31 M1 Abrams tanks and Germany to send 14 Leopard 2 A6s. 14 Challenger 2 tanks have already been committed by the United Kingdom, while Poland has asked Germany for permission to transfer some of its own Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Vadym Omelchenko, the ambassador of Ukraine to France.
Vadym Omelchenko, the ambassador of Ukraine to France.
Photographs by Adrien Fillon/NurPhoto/Getty
Omelchenko stated that Ukraine required assistance “as soon as possible,” echoing the remarks of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has asked the West to supply what some experts believe to be game-changing military weaponry.
It would be too late, he argued, if it had to wait until August or September.
The envoy stated that delivery dates would vary depending on the type of tank and the country of origin and that the timeframe would be changed during the next talks between Ukraine and Western nations.
On July 13, 2022, in Bavaria, Grafenwoehr, M1A2 Abrams tanks are seen on the grounds of the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division during a visit by the German president to American forces. Image credit: Daniel Karmann/dpa (Image courtesy of picture alliance/Daniel Karmann via Getty Images)
The new tanks in Ukraine won’t have the immediate impact that some anticipate.
The Ukrainian military has issued a time-sensitive warning. The nation is preparing for the upcoming weeks amid fears that a second Russian offensive might start in less than two months.
Prior military assistance, such as the American HIMARS rocket system, was crucial in assisting Ukraine thwart Russian advances and mount a number of successful counteroffensives in recent months.
But according to military analysts, tanks are currently Ukraine’s most potent direct offensive weapon.
Several Western countries, led by Germany and the United States, announced this week that they would send tank contingents to Ukraine.
In order to “improve Ukraine’s capabilities to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives” in the short- and long-terms, US President Joe Biden announced that 31 M1 Abrams tanks would be delivered.
Following several days of tough discussions with NATO allies, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in front of the parliament on Wednesday that his country will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. This decision followed months of consideration.
According to a German government statement, “This is the outcome of extensive deliberations that took place with Germany’s closest European and international partners.”
Ukraine is hoping that Berlin’s announcement will motivate other Leopard-owning European countries to re-export some of their automobiles.
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Poland formally requested Germany’s consent on Tuesday to transfer some of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Military authorities earlier warned CNN that the additional tanks might change the course of the fight. However, other observers claimed that the new tanks wouldn’t immediately affect the game as some may anticipate.