Biden Administration Risks World War Three with Decision to Allow Ukraine to Strike Deep into Russia
Moscow, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Maria Butina, a Russian lawmaker and member of the ruling United Russia party, has warned that President Joe Biden's administration is increasing tensions between Russia and the West by allowing Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike deep into Russia.
Butina made her comments on Monday, citing concerns that the decision could escalate the situation to the point where World War Three becomes unavoidable. The Kremlin has yet to comment on the reports, which were first reported by Reuters over the weekend.
According to two US officials and a source familiar with the decision, Biden's administration has decided to allow Ukraine to make strikes with US weapons in Russian territory.
"This is a very big step towards the start of World War Three," said Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of Russia's upper house international affairs committee. "We would be forced to take appropriate decisions based on this new threat."
Russia would likely respond immediately if Ukraine were allowed to strike with US-made ATACMS tactical missiles, according to Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma lower house foreign affairs committee.
"The strikes will indeed entail a serious escalation, which threatens to lead to much more serious consequences," Slutsky said.
President Vladimir Putin had already stated that Western approval for Ukraine to target Russian territory would mean direct involvement from NATO countries and the United States. In late October, Putin updated Russia's nuclear doctrine to say that if Moscow comes under attack from the West, it may consider a nuclear response.
Butina, who spent 15 months in US prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent, expressed hope that former President Donald Trump would reverse this decision if Biden's administration were still in power. "They are seriously risking the start of World War Three, which is not in anybody's interest," she said.
The West has long been concerned about Russia's military build-up on its border with Ukraine, and Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons have created tension between Moscow and NATO. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of aggression.
The New York Times reported similarly, stating that Biden's administration had made the decision to allow Ukrainian strikes using US-made missiles against Russian territory.
Russia's upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council, also issued a statement warning of devastating consequences if Ukraine were allowed to strike with Western missiles. "It could end with the Ukrainian statehood in complete ruins by morning," said Andrei Klishas, a senior member of the Federation Council.