Tanks 'may well be' part of future Western support to Ukraine

The Foreign Secretary has said tanks "may well be part" of future support for Ukraine, but did not commit to the UK sending them.

Speaking at a press conference alongside German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, James Cleverly said the UK has been "providing the kind of military equipment that is able to put a decisive... punch against Russian targets at range".

"We will continue to speak with the Ukrainians about what they need for the next phase of their self-defence and we will continue working with our international partners about ensuring that we provide that," he said.

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"Tanks might well be part of that. 

"Where they come from, which allies provide them, is something that, of course, we are working on in co-ordination with each other.

"The way we have supported the Ukrainians has evolved as the conflict has evolved, and we will continue to evolve our support to ensure that it is effective and we will continue to work with our allies to make sure that support is co-ordinated," he added.

Mr Cleverly's comments come after the West sent armoured fighting vehicles to Ukraine for the first time.

Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would send French-made light AMX-10 RC armoured combat vehicles to Ukraine.

Following France’s show of support, the US announced it was considering sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to help Ukraine.

United States President Joe Biden was asked during an exchange with reporters while travelling in Kentucky if providing the vehicles was being discussed, to which he responded "yes", with no further comment.

Germany is also set to supply Ukraine with armoured personnel carriers and a Patriot missile battery.

The announcement came in a government statement after Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with US President Joe Biden.

While the UK has not committed to sending any fighting vehicles to Ukraine yet, more than 200 armoured vehicles, six Stormer vehicles fitted with Starstreak launchers, along with hundreds of missiles and maritime Brimstone missiles have been sent by the UK to Ukraine.

Despite the recent show of military support, the vehicles fall short of the tanks Ukraine has asked for on numerous occasions.