Germany agrees to send advanced battle tanks to Ukraine, US to follow

The decision is seen as a potential game changer for Ukraine

Germany cleared the way on Wednesday for Europe to send scores of battle tanks to Ukraine, and Washington was poised to make a similar announcement — moves hailed by Kyiv as a potential turning point in the war and condemned by Moscow as escalation.

Kyiv has been calling for months for Western main battle tanks that would give its forces greater firepower, protection and mobility to break through Russian defensive lines and potentially swoop through territory occupied by the invaders.

Germany, said it would send an initial company of 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks from its own stocks, and also approve