so we re also giving ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively sustain the tanks on the battle field. did germany force you to change your mind on sending tanks? germany didn t force me to change my mind, we wanted to make sure we were together. that s what we ll do all along and do right now. crucially this is a deadlock between germany and the u.s. german officials said they would not send their own leopard two tanks until the u.s. sent abrams with the u.s. announcement. we saw the german announcement, as well. tanks are on their way to ukraine. the white house said they may start training on the tanks before they re able to send them so ukrainians are ready to use them when they arrive, wolf? do we know where these abrams battle tanks will be coming from? wolf, that s unclear at this point. what we know and heard from the army acquisition said today that the u.s. doesn t make new m 1 abrams tanks. it has thousands in stock and it will refurbish or update in
biden. abrams battle tanks finally heading to ukraine. cnn s chief white house correspondent phil mattingly has the reporting. we are fully, thoroughly, totally united. reporter: a diplomatic break through with dramatic implications. the united states will be sending 31 abram tanks to ukraine. reporter: the u.s. tanks set to significantly expand ukraine s battlefield capabilities. it makes it possible for germany, but also other european nato allies to provide battle tanks to ukraine and that will significantly strengthen their combat capabilities. reporter: at the same moment europe s largest land war in 80 years is in its most after weeks of u.s. officials say it
if reports from german media and reuters are correct, germany will go ahead with two things. one, sending tanks directly to ukraine, but also crucially it will allow other countries to export leopard ii tanks to ukraine, as well. the terms when germany sells a tank to another country is that country cannot then handed off to a third country without germany s consent. it looks like germany may be giving that consent. we also expect an update from the americans. so this story on the tanks is fluid, and when we get more development we will give them to you. let s turn now to important development froms inside ukraine. several top ukrainian officials have resigned as part of the country s crackdown on corruption. here s what we know a top adviser, four deputy ministers, and five regional governors have now left their posts. tackling corruption is one of the eu s key demands if ukraine wants to join the bloc. this is the country s
the chancellor, but he doesn t even have the backing of his own government. two government parties are objecting him in this, but he is resisting and blockading the delivery of weapons, particularly of leopard ii tanks, for months now. i think now the international pressure is mounting and getting increasingly higher, then he will be forced to change course, but he s lost a lot of worthwhile time. let s bring in damien mcginnis, the story has been moving with some speed, where has this got us? according to numerous german media reports, it appears germany will deliver its own reports, it appears germany will deliver its own 14 of its own leopard ii battle tanks, a big step forward for german military support to ukraine. and also, allow the re export, as it s called, of other
coldest winter in a decade. we will have extensive coverage. and we find out out how this 170 year old indigenous canadian jacket ended up at a vintage store in northern england. we start with the issue dominating discussions among ukraine s allies sending leopard ii tanks to kyiv. the german chancellor 0laf scholz has decided to send leopard ii tanks to ukraine. we should know we haven t had any direct comment from the german governmentjust yet, when we hearfrom them the german governmentjust yet, when we hear from them we will pass on immediately. 0ne we hear from them we will pass on immediately. one of the countries at the heart of this has been poland. poland has said it will send the german made battle tanks to ukraine within two weeks, whether or not germany gives its approval. the polish prime minister, speaking to the bbc, had this message for germany. i hope this reply can come as quickly as possible.