The first U.S. Abrams tanks pledged to Ukraine have arrived in the country and are being prepared to send into battle, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday.

“Good news from Defense Minister [Rustem] Umerov. Abrams are already in Ukraine and are preparing to reinforce our brigades. I am grateful to our allies for fulfilling the agreements!” Zelensky wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Zelensky added that Ukraine is “looking for new contracts and expanding the geography of supply.”

The Pentagon confirmed the tanks arrived in Ukraine, with a spokesperson saying “the mere presence of Abrams tanks serves as a potent deterrent.”

“By having these tanks in their arsenal, the Ukrainian army can more effectively discourage aggressive actions,” the Defense Department spokesperson told The Hill. “We will continue to focus on what we can do to help Ukraine succeed on the battlefield and protect its people.”

  • Bread@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    We already had the tanks to use. They aren’t getting used otherewise. While our military budget is ridiculous, if there were ever a great reason to spend it, supporting an ally to help knock down a world power such as Russia for significantly cheaper than we ever could on our own would be it. We don’t even have any American troops dying in this war.

    We need healthcare, yes. But what we gain by helping Ukraine is not insignificant. Also it is the right thing to do, so more points there.

    • agoseris@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I’m also going to point out that we (US) spend more per person on healthcare than most other countries. There doesn’t need to be a cut to the military to give everyone healthcare, since universal healthcare would probably cost less money

      • Bread@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        Oh I know, but why make a point on my terms when you can make a point with theirs? You can’t deflect as easily when you are hit head on.

    • Crismus@lemmynsfw.com
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      1 year ago

      We are finally going back to putting into practice FDR’s vision of being the Arsenal of Democracy.

      • Bread@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        As long as nobody tries to attack us again, we might just even stay out of the war permanently. I like the idea of helping prevent the takeover of a country by a bunch of other countries with a finger wiggle while saying “ah ah ah, not today!”

        • Crismus@lemmynsfw.com
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          1 year ago

          Yep. As crappy as a policy it was, Manifest Destiny really helped keep the US secure. I personally think we can afford Healthcare and Arms production, but being a country that helps other countries fight to preserve their autonomy feels pretty good.

          Better than spending 20 years in Iraq and Afghanistan to just end up with everything back to how it was before.