Russian lawmaker Maria Butina has warned that President Joe Biden’s approval for Ukraine to use US-made weapons for deep strikes into Russian territory could dangerously escalate the conflict, potentially leading to World War Three. Speaking to Reuters, Butina criticized the Biden administration for risking global instability in its final months in office. She expressed hope that former President Donald Trump might reverse the decision if elected, cautioning that such moves were not in the world’s best interest.
Reports from Reuters and The New York Times revealed that Biden’s administration had authorized Ukraine to use US weapons for attacks deep within Russia, a major shift in policy. The Kremlin has yet to comment on the decision, but President Vladimir Putin previously warned that such a step would involve NATO directly in the conflict, potentially expanding the war.
In late September, Putin declared that Western approval of long-range strikes would necessitate NATO involvement, with military personnel and infrastructure required to operate the missiles. In response, Russia’s defense ministry has been exploring countermeasures to deal with potential US and NATO support for Ukraine.
Butina, who served 15 months in a US prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent and is now a member of Russia’s ruling United Russia party, expressed concern that some in the US government might be pursuing actions with little regard for the risks involved. She stated that those pushing for such escalation “simply do not care” about the potential consequences, further heightening the fears of an expanded war.
