Russian lawmaker Maria Butina has raised alarms about the Biden administration’s decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range U.S. weapons against Russian territory, warning that it could escalate tensions to the point of triggering World War Three.
Butina’s comments come amid a dramatic increase in hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, which have drawn in multiple global powers. With the situation growing increasingly dire, many are concerned about the potential for a large-scale conflict.
“These guys, Biden’s administration, are trying to escalate the situation to the maximum while they still have power and are still in office,” Butina said in an interview with Reuters on Monday. “I have a great hope that (Donald) Trump will overcome this decision if this has been made because they are seriously risking the start of World War Three, which is not in anybody’s interest.”
A Shift in U.S. Policy
The U.S. government’s decision to approve the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine marks a significant shift in its policy, which had previously been cautious about escalating the war into Russian territory. On Sunday, reports emerged that President Joe Biden had authorized the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine, a move that could change the dynamics of the war.
The decision has already sparked widespread debate, both in the U.S. and abroad. Some see it as a bold move to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty, while others, including Butina, fear it will only worsen the situation and drag the U.S. and NATO into direct confrontation with Russia.
President Vladimir Putin has long expressed concerns over Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict. In a September 12 statement, Putin warned that allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian targets would lead directly to NATO’s involvement, drawing the U.S. and European nations into the war. He argued that NATO’s military infrastructure and personnel would be necessary for launching these missiles, making them de facto participants in the conflict.
Putin’s Growing Warnings
Putin’s warnings about the potential dangers of escalating the war have only grown more urgent in recent months. In late October, the Russian president reiterated his concerns, saying that his defense ministry was actively exploring various countermeasures to respond to the growing support Ukraine was receiving from NATO, particularly in terms of long-range missiles.
These warnings have come amid increasing military aid to Ukraine, as NATO has ramped up its involvement. The alliance has been supplying Ukraine with advanced weaponry and providing extensive military training, despite Russia’s objections. The West has also imposed severe sanctions on Russia, further isolating the country economically and politically.
“The West is continuing to escalate the war with the goal of weakening Russia,” Putin stated in October. “But if the U.S. and its allies continue down this path, we will be forced to respond.”
The fear is that the continued support for Ukraine could eventually lead to direct conflict between NATO and Russia, especially if the U.S. and its allies continue to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine for use in Russian territory.
Butina Criticizes U.S. Policy
Maria Butina, a former Russian agent who was jailed in the U.S. for 15 months before being elected to Russia’s parliament, has been outspoken in her criticism of U.S. foreign policy. She expressed disbelief at the actions of certain individuals in the U.S. government, suggesting that some are acting recklessly with little regard for the potential global consequences.
“I guess there are some people in the United States who have nothing to lose for whatever reason or who are completely off the grid so much that they simply do not care,” Butina said, echoing the sentiment that the U.S. may be putting the world at risk without fully understanding the consequences.
The Role of North Korea
The decision to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine is also being framed in the context of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict. Reports have surfaced that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to assist President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. decision is being seen, in part, as a response to this new development, aiming to counter the support Russia is receiving from its allies in the East.
The strategic shift by the U.S. also coincides with growing tensions between NATO countries and Russia, which have only intensified since the war in Ukraine began. The U.S. has been a major supplier of military aid to Ukraine, including air defense systems, artillery, and advanced missile technology, all of which have played a key role in Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces.
