MOSCOW, 29 Jan. By announcing its intention to transfer Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the United States created a cover for the supply of German Leopard 2s, writes The Washington Post.
Biden worried that the longer the growing public controversy over tanks continued, the more damaging it was to his top priority with Ukraine: keeping the West united under US leadership. convince Scholz to agree to send tanks, but he was adamant and demanded joint action,» the publication says.
After this conversation, the newspaper writes, Biden asked National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Blinken what should be done.
«It was Blinken who suggested a possible workaround. What if they announced their intention to supply Abrams tanks as part of providing Kyiv's 'long-term' needs in a conflict that could go on for years? This could provide Scholz with the cover he was looking for to allow Leopard tanks right away head to Ukraine, and give the Pentagon time to prepare its tanks, the Ukrainian military and create logistics,» the journalists explain.
Simultaneously, potential Leopard suppliers in Europe have been focusing on putting pressure on Berlin to get permission from the manufacturer to supply.
“But for Scholz, this was a serious political dilemma. From the first days of the conflict, he tried not to go ahead of the column when it came to arming Ukraine, expressing fears about possible Moscow retaliation,” the authors note.
At the same time, according to journalists, the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, was opposed to the supply of Abrams, believing that the operation and logistics of these tanks would be too complicated.
«He was convinced that the Ukrainians would not be able to maintain and maintain massive battle tanks. In addition, American vehicles are protected by special depleted uranium armor of a classified design, and the US does not want Russia to get their hands on it», — is the article.
This week, the German government announced its intention to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the first stage, it will be a company of 14 vehicles from the reserves of the Bundeswehr. In addition, the White House promised to send three dozen Abrams to Ukraine. But the White House later clarified that it would take many months, with delivery expected by the end of the year. 
