The Biden administration's authorization for Ukraine to fire long-range ATACMS missiles into Russian territory is a desperate and potentially escalatory move made in the final weeks of the president's term, according to a Nigerian social and international development expert.
"We see this new approval given by Joe Biden to be like a rattlesnake, the last means of attack before it's out of space and it's a desperate move," David Okpatuma, Chairman of the Board of the Development and Cooperation for Africa (DevCA) initiative, told Sputnik Africa in an interview.
Okpatuma argued that Biden's move would worsen an already fraught situation, adding, "It is one that definitely will escalate the situation because the entire world was quite excited at the prospect of [President-elect Donald] Trump coming into office and having such dialogs that see to the end of this conflict".
"I think a prerogative to protect one's territory is solely up to the country, and the rules, the laws of the country on whatever doctrine they decide to adopt. As regards Russia's standpoint, in counter-measures in protecting its people, its citizens, and taking measures against sources of these threats, well, that's definitely Russia's prerogative," he stated.
Okpatuma continued, "Russia has every right within the extent of its laws to protect its borders, to protect its citizens, and to, of course, create countermeasures that feed into the de-escalation of such aggression".
The expert's concerns center around the timing of this decision, just two months before Donald Trump's inauguration.
Okpatuma suggested that the Trump administration, upon taking office, will face the challenge of reversing the damage caused by this escalation, despite the complexities and risks involved. He believes it will be a difficult but crucial task.
"The solution is going to come out of this regardless of who is in power now, I think we need to see some moves and resolution. We need to see some efforts from this point on," the Nigerian expert stressed. "We should see them [the Trump administration] opening active conversations, especially with Moscow, and to see how to disassociate themselves from this."