WASHINGTON, January 26. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that Washington will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

"Today I’m announcing that the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the equivalent of one Ukrainian battalion," he said in a speech at the White House.

According to Biden, the decision to ship Abrams tanks to Ukraine was recommended by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who believes that these vehicles "will enhance the Ukraine’s capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives."

"The Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. They’re also extremely complex to operate and maintain, so we’re also giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively sustain these tanks on the battlefield," the US President said.

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported citing its sources that the shipment of Abrams tanks to Kiev will become a part of an agreement with German, which includes shipment of a small number of Leopard 2 from the Germany’s stock, as well as Berlin’s authorization for third countries to ship their own German-made tanks to Ukraine. On Wednesday, the German government confirmed that it will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own stock and will issue the authorization for third countries.