Russian MP Maria Butina stated today that the administration of US President Joe Biden risks triggering World War III if it has indeed decided to permit the Ukrainian military to strike deep into Russian territory using American-made long-range weapons.
“These people, the Biden administration, are trying to escalate the situation to the maximum as long as they remain in power,” said Butina, 36, elected with the United Russia party, in comments to Reuters.
“I hope that (former US President Donald) Trump will reverse this decision, if indeed it has been made, because, seriously, they risk the outbreak of World War III, which is in no one’s interest,” she added.
International media, including Reuters, citing two US officials and another informed source, reported yesterday that the Biden administration had decided to allow Ukrainian forces to carry out strikes using long-range Western-made weapons deep inside Russia.
The New York Times also published information suggesting that the Biden administration had already decided on the matter.
The Kremlin has not commented on the reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on 12 September that if Western governments approve such actions, Moscow would consider it “direct involvement of NATO countries, the US, and European nations in the war in Ukraine,” as such strikes would require NATO military infrastructure for targeting and execution.
In late October, Putin stated that the defence industry was developing responses in case the US or NATO allies assist Ukraine in using long-range missiles.
“I suppose there are people in the US who either have nothing to lose (…) or simply don’t care,” said Butina, who was imprisoned for 15 months in the US after being convicted of acting as an unregistered Russian agent. She has served as a member of the Russian State Duma since 2021 under the United Russia party and is part of its international affairs committee.
Source: ANA-MPA
