"I have no idea why we didn't do this from the very beginning. Why did we even impose these restrictions? And if we are ready to do it now, then why weren't we prepared to do it two years ago? [...] These restrictions were entirely invented by the Biden administration. They shouldn't have done this, and no one would have said a word. Now Russia is making a fuss over the lifting of these restrictions, which shouldn't have existed in the first place," he said.
The former U.S. special representative believes that the idea of limiting the range of weapon use "has no basis in international law."
"Ukraine was attacked; it has the right to defend itself. Russia is attacking Ukraine from deep within its own territory – there are no reasons not to respond," emphasized Volker.
In his opinion, Washington should have lifted the restrictions on Ukraine's long-range strikes long ago.
"I also don't understand why we announce this. If we are going to lift the restrictions, just lift them. If we are going to provide mines, provide them. It shouldn't be a big event," Volker stated.