Mark Esper briefs news reporters at the Pentagon on March 17, 2020, when he served as defense secretary. (Lisa Ferdinando/Department of defense)

WASHINGTON — Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said there’s more that the United States can do to help Ukraine defend against Russia’s invasion and standing up for democracy in Eastern Europe sends a clear message around the world that autocratic aggression will not be tolerated.

Biden’s administration has given close to $30 billion in military and humanitarian aid since the Russian invasion last February, including Humvees, arms, millions of rounds of ammunition, air-defense systems, armored vehicles and tanks. The U.S. announced earlier Wednesday that it would send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in conjunction with Germany sending some of its Leopard 2 tanks.

Esper said the American and German tanks will give Ukraine more power to drive out Russian forces. But he said he also thinks they should have been sent months ago, especially if they’re needed to repel a Russian offensive in the spring.

“We serve the American people … We don’t shoot them,” he said. “To me, it was a very low moment to be there in the Oval Office and hear the commander in chief say that.”ware.doug@stripes.com