As the 1,000-day mark of war in Ukraine approaches, Russian legislator Maria Butina has stated that President Joe Biden's administration is risking the Third World War by allowing Ukraine to use US-made weapons to attack Russia.
"The Biden administration is trying to escalate the situation to the maximum while they still have power. I have great hope that (Donald) Trump will override this decision, if it has been made, because they are seriously risking the start of the Third World War," Butina told Reuters.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky has been cautious in his response. In his evening address, the Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of this measure that he has long been requesting, without confirming it. "Bombings are not carried out with the help of words. Things like this are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves," he emphasized.
On another note, a Russian attack in the city of Sumy has left 11 dead, including two children, and 90 injured after a missile hit a residential building.
Borrell Supports Allowing Allied Weapons to be Used in Russia
EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed hope on Monday that EU members can agree to allow Ukraine to use weapons to attack within Russia. "I have said time and time again that Ukraine should be able to use the weapons we provide, not only to stop the arrows but also to be able to strike the archers," Borrell stated before a meeting with EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels.
"I still believe this is the right thing to do. I am confident we will discuss it again. I hope the member states will agree," he assured, according to Reuters.
China Urges to "Cool Down the Situation"
China urged on Monday to "cool down the situation as soon as possible" amid reports in US media about the White House's decision to allow Kiev to use ATACMS missiles sent to attack military targets inside Russia.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated in a press conference that "all parties are interested in seeking a political solution through a ceasefire and an end to the fighting," as reported by Efe.
Lin affirmed that China "has always encouraged and supported all efforts leading to a peaceful resolution of the crisis." "China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in its own way in the political solution to the Ukrainian 'crisis'," he added.
Poland Applauds US Authorization to Use Long-Range Weapons
The Polish government welcomed on Monday with satisfaction the permission granted by Washington to Ukraine to use the long-range weapons provided by Western allies on Russian territory.
Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak described it as "necessary" and "the only appropriate response to Putin, who only understands the language of force." Meanwhile, Cezary Tomczyk, Poland's Deputy Minister of Defense, stated that "Russia only knows one language: the language of power," referring to President Joe Biden's decision as "a very good decision."
Ukraine Faces Power Outages Again
The massive attack launched by Russia on Sunday in Ukraine caused damage to the energy infrastructure, leading to power cuts in several regions. In the port city of Odesa, on the Black Sea, they had been without electricity for 24 hours on Monday morning, with new cuts expected nationwide.
The national grid operator, Ukrenergo, announced temporary power cuts across the country from 6:00 to 22:00, stating that workers were repairing the damages as quickly as possible.
Kim Jong-un Criticizes the Role of the West in the Ukraine War
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has accused the West of provoking and fueling the war in Ukraine to expand "its military interventionism worldwide" in a speech delivered to the Army at a time marked by the dispatch of troops from Pyongyang to support Moscow in the conflict.
"We must consider the war against Russia, which the United States and the West are waging by sending Ukraine as a vanguard, as a war to increase their practical experience and expand the scope of their military interventionism worldwide," Kim stated in a speech delivered on Friday and published today by the state news agency KCNA.
Eleven Dead, Including Two Children, in Sumy
Two children are among the 11 people who died when a Russian missile struck a residential building in the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities, while another missile left the regional administrative center without electricity, Reuters reports.
89 people, including 11 children, were also injured in the attack on the city late Sunday, as reported by the Ukrainian State Emergency Service through the Telegram messaging app.
Russia Claims to Have Shot Down 59 Ukrainian Drones
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones over border areas with Ukraine and the Moscow region.
Russian Legislator: "Biden Risks Third World War"
Russian legislator Maria Butina stated today that Joe Biden is risking the Third World War if he has allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike deep into Russia. "The Biden administration is trying to escalate the situation to the maximum while they still have power and are still in office," Butina told Reuters.
Zelensky: "The Missiles Will Speak for Themselves"
"The plan to strengthen Ukraine is the Victoria Plan that I presented to our partners. One of its key elements is to equip our army with long-range capabilities. Today, there has been much said in the media that we have received approval to take related actions, but attacks are not carried out with words. These things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves," Volodymyr Zelensky assured.