Abrams tanks will be entering Ukraine soon - Pentagon Secretary Austin at Ramstein meeting

He said this in his opening remarks at the Ramstein meeting.

"We’ll continue to work closely with our Ukrainian partners to ensure that all assistance is used effectively and safeguarded. I’m also pleased to announce that the M1 Abrams tanks that the United States had previously committed will be entering Ukraine soon. Now, the more Russia prolongs its war, the more glaring its cruelty becomes," Austin emphasized.

The Pentagon chief also added that the US contribution and assistance is strong and will remain so.

"Since our last meeting, the United States has committed additional security-assistance packages totaling more than $2 billion. Those packages include urgently needed air defense, ammunition, and mine-clearing equipment. And we’re ensuring accountability of U.S. contributions through robust end-use monitoring," Austin emphasized.

• The United States began training Ukrainians on Abrams tanks in May in Germany. For this purpose, M1 Abrams tanks arrived from the United States, intended solely for exercise and not for shipment to Ukraine.

• At the same time, in May, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that the United States would provide Ukraine with Abrams tanks in early fall 2023. "The Abrams tanks intended for Ukraine (31 tanks) have been undergoing repairs and training for several months. This weekend, the tanks were officially approved for delivery.

• The first batch of Abrams tanks provided by the United States to Ukraine has been approved for shipment. The tanks are expected to arrive in Ukraine in early fall.