Lloyd Austin made the declaration during the latest meeting of Ukraine-supporting countries, known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Tuesday, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s polskieradio24.pl website reported.
The Pentagon chief said the promised 31 M1 Abrams tanks “will soon begin arriving in Ukraine,” according to the Associated Press news agency.
A US defence official speaking on condition of anonymity said the Abramses had arrived in Europe and would begin crossing the border into Ukraine within the coming days, the AP reported.
Tuesday’s meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group brought together representatives from some 50 of Ukraine’s allies and partners who discussed ways to step up military support for Kyiv, polskieradio24.pl reported.
On Monday, Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced EUR 400 million in new military support for Ukraine, including ammunition, armoured vehicles and demining systems, according to officials.
Pistorius told reporters that Germany would also supply Ukraine with winter clothes as well as heat and power generators ahead of the coming winter.
He added that Berlin had not yet decided whether to provide Kyiv with Taurus air-launched cruise missiles, polskieradio24.pl reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Tuesday was day 573 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: polskieradio24.pl, AP
