[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to reports that the U.S. government will provide Abrams tanks to Ukraine:

“Immense relief – that’s how I feel about the tank decision having just seen and heard during my Ukraine visit how much it will mean to both military strength and morale. Tanks have the firepower, mobility, defensive armor and other capabilities that will enable Ukrainians to successfully overcome an entrenched Russian force. This step is a great credit to our allies and the Administration staying unified and determined to give Ukraine the arms it needs to win against Putin’s criminal, genocidal invasion. Americans should know that these tanks are protecting our own national security – an investment in Ukraine’s fight against Putin’s advancing aggression that will ultimately involve us more deeply if we fail to stop him now. The Ukrainians may be outmanned, but we cannot allow them to be outgunned.”

Earlier today, Blumenthal and U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) held a press conference on their recent visit to Ukraine and meeting with United States and Ukraine government officials including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Video of that press conference is available here: https://www.c-span.org/video/?525529-1/senators-graham-blumenthal-white-house-hold-news-conference-visit-ukraine