Monitoring Desk
WASHINGTON: A senior Joe Biden administration official said on Friday that senior officials of the United States (US) are advising Ukraine to hold off on launching a major attack against Russia until the latest supply of US military aid is in place and training has been provided.
While speaking to a small group of reporters on condition of anonymity, the Biden administration official said the US stood firm on its decision not to provide Abrams tanks to Ukraine amid a controversy with Germany over tanks.
The official said that the United States’ talks with Ukraine about any counter-attack have been in the context of ensuring the Ukrainians spend enough time first on training on the latest military aid provided by the United States.
US military aid for Ukraine
The United States on Thursday announced it would send hundreds of military vehicles to Ukraine for use in the fight against Russian forces.
Bad winter weather has affected fighting on the front lines. However, a cold snap that hardens and freezes the ground could pave the way for both sides to launch an attack with heavy equipment, Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region of Ukraine, said.
The official said the US does not plan to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine at this juncture because they are costly and difficult to maintain.
On Friday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius denied Berlin was unilaterally blocking the supply of Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine; however, he said the German government was ready to move quickly to send these tanks if there was consensus among allies.
