US officials frustrated Australia sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine

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American officials remain privately frustrated over Australia's decision to donate retired Abrams tanks to Ukraine, even as the vehicles finally begin the long sea journey to the battleground.

During an overnight meeting in Rome, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after he confirmed the fleet of second-hand M1A1 vehicles was on the way.

The ABC has confirmed that the process of loading the first of the 49 vehicles onto a cargo ship began recently, but the government will not discuss their current location or expected arrival date in Europe for "security reasons".

Before the shipping process could begin, Australia had to wait for Washington's approval to export the US-made tanks to a third country, which was granted despite American officials remaining privately frustrated about the donation.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-19/us-officials-frustrated-australia-sending-tanks-to-ukraine/105308996