Washington (AFP) – The United States announced Wednesday that it will provide 31 Abrams tanks to help Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion, mirroring a similar move by Germany in the face of dire warnings from Moscow. The twin announcements will come as a major relief for Kyiv which has pleaded for months for heavy Western tanks to aid its battle. The US pledge came hours after Germany — which reportedly sought a US commitment of tanks before agreeing to send its own — approved the long-sought delivery of its powerful Leopard 2s to Ukraine. Unlike the German tanks, however, the M1 Abrams will be …