Lifting arms restrictions: U.S. may empower Ukraine for deeper strikes
Former U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, presented his forecasts regarding the future of military support for Kyiv. Volker, who served during Donald Trump's administration, stated that the U.S. "may lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons." He also addressed Putin's nuclear threats.
Volker predicts that the current Joe Biden administration may quietly begin to lift restrictions on supplying weapons to Ukraine and allow strikes deep into Russia.
- The Biden administration, without prior announcement, will start to lift these restrictions. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis - assesses Volker. He also added that a possible Trump administration would go even further, providing Ukraine with extensive aid under the lend-lease programme, without restrictions on the weapons used.
Threat from Russia
The conversation also touched upon the topic of possible Ukrainian NATO membership. According to Volker, integrating Kyiv into the Alliance should be a part of a future peace agreement with Russia. He emphasises that only through NATO is a possible permanent resolution to the conflict: "To end the fighting permanently, Ukraine should be integrated into NATO."
The former diplomat pointed out that the U.S. decision to lift restrictions on strikes in Russia could also influence European allies, who might follow America's lead.
Volker sharply criticised NATO for its current inactivity in the face of airspace violations by Russian drones and aircraft: - Shockingly, NATO isn't doing more.
He suggests the Alliance should expand its air defence zones, particularly over Poland and Romania, to respond to threats.
Putin's new nuclear doctrine
The conversation also covered Vladimir Putin's recent comments about revising Russia's nuclear doctrine. Putin suggested that Russia could use nuclear weapons not only in response to a nuclear attack but also to conventional strikes.
However, Volker doesn't believe these words will impact the Kremlin's actions: - This is an attempt to intimidate the West, not a real change in nuclear policy.
Kurt Volker served as the U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine from 2017-2019 and, earlier, during George Bush's presidency, as the U.S. Ambassador to NATO. In an interview with DW, he emphasised the necessity of continued support for Ukraine and decisive actions against Russia.
