The UK will provide Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, becoming the first Western power to offer main battle tanks in support of the country’s resistance against the Russian invasion, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed.
Sunak made the pledge on Saturday morning during a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who thanked the UK for sending the “right signal to other partners.”
Ukraine has long been asking for supplies of main battle tanks to bolster its defences against Russia, but its Western allies have been reluctant to satisfy the demand amid fears of further escalations.
Earlier this week, Western officials warned that Ukraine would not be able to take back significant territory from Russia without an increase in fighting power, including tanks and other heavy armour….