US poised to send dozens of Abrams tanks to Ukraine in policy U-turn – reports

Decision comes just days after Washington argued against sending the Abrams and follows reports Berlin will send Leopard tanks to Ukraine

• See all our Ukraine coverage

The United States appears poised to start a process that would eventually send dozens of its M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, US media reported, in a reversal that could have significant implications for Kyiv's efforts to repel Russian forces.

The development prompted swift reaction from Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, who said it would be a blatant provocation".