(Presidentialwire.com)- Last week, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church warned that attempting to “destroy Russia” will lead to “the end of the world,” Russia’s state-controlled RT reported.
After marking the Orthodox holiday of Epiphany, Patriarch Kirill said “madmen” believe that Russia can be defeated despite its “powerful weapons” and “extremely strong people.” He said Russia has “never given in to an enemy and had always emerged victorious.”
Kirill said those “madmen” are trying to impose on the Russian people “certain values that cannot even be called values.” He said they want Russia to be “like everyone else and obey those who have the power to control most of the world.”
He prayed that God would enlighten “those madmen” so they “understand that any desire to destroy Russia will mean the end of the world.”
On Wednesday, President Biden announced that the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, during a press briefing at the White House flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Biden said Secretary Austin recommended sending the tanks to enhance Ukraine’s ability to “defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives.”
The president described the tanks as “further evidence of our enduring, unflagging commitment to Ukraine.”
In recent weeks, President Zelensky has repeatedly appealed to the West for more tanks. But Pentagon officials maintained that Abrams tanks weren’t suited for the fight in Ukraine given the fuel necessary to operate them.
President Biden also said that the US has pledged to provide training so Ukrainian soldiers are prepared to integrate the Abrams tanks into their defenses. According to US officials, the new tanks aren’t likely to arrive for months.
Additionally, on Tuesday Reuters reported that German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz agreed to send two German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine and also authorized the NATO countries that have Leopards, like Poland, to do so as well.
