UK will give Ukraine tanks, pledges PM Rishi Sunak
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London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK will provide heavy tanks to Ukraine to help in its efforts to "push Russian troops back." He also pledged to supply additional artillery systems as a sign of the UK's "ambition to intensify our support to Ukraine".
This makes the UK the first Western power to supply Kyiv with main battle tanks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the UK on Twitter for making decisions that "will not only strengthen us on the battlefield but also send the right signal to other partners".
The readout of a phone call between Sunak and Zelensky follows reports that the UK was preparing to sign off on sending four British Army Challenger 2 main battle tanks to eastern Europe immediately. Eight more are to follow shortly. The PM's office hasn't yet officially confirmed how many tanks will be sent to Ukraine.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister outlined the UK's ambition to intensify our support to Ukraine, including through the provision of Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems. Sunak and Zelensky agreed on the "need to seize on this moment" after Ukrainian victories had "pushed Russian troops back," reported AFP.
"The Prime Minister and President Zelensky welcomed other international commitments including Poland's offer to provide a company of Leopard tanks. The Prime Minister stressed that he and the whole UK Government would be working intensively with international partners to rapidly deliver the kind of support which will allow Ukraine to press their advantage, win this war and secure a lasting peace," he added.
European allies have so far sent over 300 modernised Soviet tanks since February 2022. But, till now, they have refrained from dispatching tanks made in the West. Ukraine has been repeatedly requesting Western tanks.
Other European nations have already promised light tanks. France on January 4 said Kyiv will be given the French-made AMX-10 RC -- a light tank model. Poland on January 11 said that it is willing to provide 14 advanced Leopard 2 battle tanks.