Allies offer more weapons to Ukraine, but no decisions made on tanks

FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a phone call with Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 14, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany/KYIV (Reuters) -Western allies on Friday dampened Ukraine's hopes for a rapid shipment of battle tanks to boost its firepower for a spring offensive against Russian forces, with the United States urging Kyiv to hold off from mounting such an operation.

The top U.S. general, speaking after a meeting of the allies at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, also said it would be very hard for Ukraine to drive Russia's invading forces from the country this year.