First Polish tanks arrive in Ukraine as west piles new sanctions on Russia

Allies demonstrate support for Kyiv on first anniversary of invasion and seek to add to pressure on Vladimir Putin

The first Polish tanks have arrived in Ukraine, as western allies announced a raft of further economic, military and financial sanctions against Russia, in a renewed effort to weaken Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

Speaking on the anniversary of the Russian invasion on Friday, Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, said the first Leopard tanks had arrived in Ukraine. He did not specify how many, but Poland had previously requested an export licence from Berlin for 14 Leopard 2 tanks, with the goal of spurring others to do the same.