The Kremlin stated on Monday that if the U.S. permits Ukraine to launch American missiles into Russian territory, it would signify direct U.S. involvement in the conflict, which it accused President Joe Biden’s administration of exacerbating.

For several months, Russia has warned the West about its interpretation of such a decision, indicating that it would heighten the risk of confrontation with the NATO alliance led by the U.S.

In response to inquiries regarding reports from the New York Times and Reuters suggesting that Biden’s administration had approved long-range strikes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that these reports lacked any official confirmation.

“If such a decision has indeed been made and communicated to the Kyiv regime, it would represent a qualitatively new escalation and a different situation regarding U.S. involvement in this conflict,” Peskov remarked.

Peskov also highlighted that President Vladimir Putin had clearly articulated Russia’s stance during his address in St. Petersburg in September.

On September 12, Putin stated that Western endorsement of such actions would indicate “the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States, and European nations in the war in Ukraine,” as NATO military infrastructure and personnel would need to be engaged in the targeting and launching of the missiles.

Peskov stated that it is clear the outgoing administration in Washington plans to escalate tensions surrounding this conflict.

According to Reuters, the Biden administration made this decision on Sunday, as reported by two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the matter. The New York Times also covered the announcement.

Both reports indicated that this action is partly a reaction to the reported deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region to assist in countering a Ukrainian advance.

RUSSIA’S NUCLEAR DOCTRINE CHANGED

A Russian official with close ties to the Kremlin, who requested anonymity, remarked that if the U.S. action is confirmed, it would be an extremely provocative step for an outgoing administration, although it would not alter the war’s outcome.

This year, Ukraine’s capture of a portion of the Kursk region represented the first instance of U.S. weaponry being utilized on internationally recognized Russian territory since Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine began in early 2022.

Biden’s administration is attempting to heighten tensions to their fullest extent while they remain in power, according to Russian lawmaker Maria Butina.

“I sincerely hope that (Donald) Trump will reverse this decision if it has indeed been made, as it poses a serious risk of igniting World War Three, which serves no one’s interests.”

Russian officials have consistently warned that the West is dangerously testing the boundaries of what a nuclear power may tolerate.

President Putin has revised Russia’s nuclear policy to indicate that any conventional assault on Russia, supported by a nuclear state, could be interpreted as a collective attack on Russia.

In late October, Putin stated that his defense ministry was exploring various responses should the United States and its NATO allies assist Ukraine in launching long-range Western missile strikes deep into Russian territory.

“There are individuals in the United States who seem to have nothing to lose for various reasons, or who are so disconnected that they simply do not care,” remarked Butina, who served 15 months in a U.S. prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent and is currently a lawmaker for the ruling United Russia party.