US President Joe Biden says the United States will send 31 M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, granting a key request from Kiev that is expected to enhance the military capabilities of the Ukrainian army over the coming months.

With no diplomatic solution to the deadly conflict in sight, the situation has been exacerbated by the fracture among western countries on how to assist Kiev militarily.

The United States will not send M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine, despite repeated requests from the Kiev government, according to a report in the US media.