US Tanks ‘Absolutely on Table’ for Ukraine: Pentagon

The United States may provide “NATO compatible” tanks to the Ukrainian military to replace aging Soviet-era gear, a senior Pentagon official said, as Kiev continues to urge for a steady stream of Western arms amid fierce fighting with Russian troops.

Speaking to reporters at an anonymous briefing on Monday, the defense staffer was asked whether the White House was considering heavy armor in future aid packages to Ukraine, noting that Ukrainian lawmakers recently visited the US capital to specifically push for tanks, RT reported.

“Tanks are absolutely on the table along with other areas,” the official said, noting that while Ukrainian troops are more familiar with “Soviet type tanks”, the Pentagon recognizes “that there will be a day when they may want to transition and may need to transition to NATO compatible models”.

Pressed on whether Western tanks might be included in upcoming arms deliveries, the official said that would depend on how quickly Ukrainian forces could be trained to use and maintain the vehicles, but added the administration of US President Joe Biden is “certainly open” to the idea.