Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin suspends key US-Russia nuclear treaty in speech denouncing West
President Vladimir Putin said he'd sought an "open dialogue" with the West.
Almost a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a struggle for control of areas throughout the east and south.
Putin's forces pulled out of key positions in November, retreating from Kherson as Ukrainian troops led a counteroffensive targeting the southern port city. Russian drones have continued bombarding civilian targets throughout Ukraine, knocking out critical power infrastructure as winter sets in.
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Germany to deliver tanks to Ukraine, in major step for allies' support
German officials said on Wednesday they plan to deliver 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
“This decision follows our well-known line of supporting Ukraine to the best of our ability,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement. “We are acting in a closely coordinated manner internationally.”
Officials said the decision was the result of intensive consultations that took place with Germany's closest European and international partners. Other European allies also plan to send tanks, German officials said.
Ukrainian troops will be trained on the tanks in Germany, officials said in a statement. Germany also planned to send ammunition and provide system maintenance.
-ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Sarah Hucal
US considering sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine: Officials
The Biden administration is leaning toward sending M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials have confirmed to ABC News.
The U.S. could commit to sending between 30 to 50 tanks to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
It could take more than a year for the new tanks to be fielded, officials said.
While President Joe Biden has not made a final decision, the transfer of Abrams would presumably enable Germany to authorize the transfer of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. This could then allow the 12 NATO countries that have Leopard 2 tanks to transfer them to Ukraine,.
The decision could be announced as early as this week, officials said.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez, Shannon K. Crawford and Matt Seyler
Zelenskyy issues new rule barring officials from personal travel out of country
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new policy that forbids Ukrainian officials from leaving the country for non-governmental purposes.
"Officials will no longer be able to travel abroad for vacation or for any other non-governmental purpose," Zelesnkyy said in his evening address Monday. "Within five days, the Cabinet of Ministers is to develop a border-crossing procedure for officials so that only a real working trip can be the reason for border crossing."
-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman
Russian casualties in Ukraine above 100,000: US
The U.S. believes the number of Russians killed or injured fighting in Ukraine is well above 100,000, according to people familiar with the matter.
One source said the U.S. believes more than 150,000 Russians have been killed or wounded, and another source said the total number was approaching 200,000.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, said Friday that the Russian casualty number was "significantly well over 100,000." In November, Milley had said that "well over" 100,000 Russians had been killed or wounded.
That number includes Russians who have been killed in action, have died from wounds, or who were wounded and have been taken off the battlefield. The number of injured is believed to be higher than the number killed, one source said.
ABC News’ Luis Martinez, Ben Gittleson and Matt Gutman