Australia delivers decommissioned Abrams tanks to Ukraine: PM
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Australia continues to expand military assistance to Ukraine, including the delivery of Abrams tanks, as Russia reiterates its call for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto after their bilateral meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Monday that the decommissioned M1A1 Abrams tanks pledged by Canberra to Kiev have already been delivered to Ukraine. The announcement was made during an online briefing for reporters.
“The promised M1A1 Abrams tanks are being delivered to Ukraine,” Albanese stated, reaffirming Australia’s military commitment.
He added that the country would “continue to provide military support” and is prepared to consider broader international efforts aimed at ending the war.
“We are prepared to consider any proposal, if peace can be achieved there, for a coalition of the willing, to be part of a peacekeeping force,” he emphasized.
The Australian prime minister also underscored Canberra’s economic and diplomatic measures against Moscow. “We continue to look at whatever we can do to pressure Russia,” Albanese said, highlighting that "Australia has imposed 1,400 sanctions against individuals or Russian companies.”
These sanctions are part of the broader Western effort to isolate Russia economically and politically following the escalation of the war in Ukraine.
Ceasefire rhetoric overshadowed
This is happening as US President Donald Trump is expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss prospects for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The initiative marks a new phase in the ongoing Trump-Putin Ukraine peace talks, with the US leader aiming to end what he has repeatedly described as a “bloodbath.”
Trump, positioning himself as a peacemaker, said the conversation would center on ending the war and discussing trade, adding, "Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end," on his Truth Social platform.
Delegations from both Russia and Ukraine met last week in Istanbul, the first such talks since March 2022, following Putin’s proposal for direct negotiations.
Tanks delivered, instructors deployed, aid surpasses $1 billion
Australia has been actively supporting Ukraine since March 2022, delivering a range of military aid, including Bushmaster armored personnel carriers, M777 howitzers, M113 armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, and drones.
Earlier reports indicated difficulties in transferring the 49 decommissioned Abrams tanks due to the lack of official authorization from Washington, which manufactures the tanks. However, those logistical hurdles now appear to have been resolved.
To date, Australia’s total assistance to Ukraine has surpassed $1 billion, with more than $880 million allocated specifically for military equipment and ammunition. In addition, Canberra has deployed 90 military instructors to the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian forces.
An Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail reconnaissance aircraft and up to 100 personnel have also been stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany since October 2023 to help secure supply routes for Ukrainian forces.
At least 48 Australian citizens are known to be fighting alongside the Ukrainian military.
