Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has warned against the stationing of new US missiles in Germany and threatened to react. The German government is defending the plans.
The German government has defended the planned stationing of US missiles in Germany following threats from Russia. The government has given detailed reasons why these weapons must be stationed, said deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann to journalists in Berlin.
“Because Russia has changed the strategic balance in Europe and is threatening Europe and Germany with cruise missiles, and we have to create this deterrence.” In this case, it is all about deterrence.
Putin threatens reaction
On the sidelines of the NATO summit, the White House and the German government recently announced that the USA plans to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026 that have a range as far as Russia. These include Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometres, as well as SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened a response to this at the weekend. The missiles, which could also be equipped with nuclear warheads in the future, would put important targets in Russia within reach. State and military facilities and important industrial plants could be hit within ten minutes. Russia would respond in a “mirror-like” manner. Russian warships could also be equipped with missiles in response.
Foreign Office: We will not be intimidated
“We take note of that,” said Hoffmann when asked about Putin’s statements. A spokesman for the Foreign Office was more explicit: “Putin is only describing what he can already do.” Russia has been building up nuclear weapons for years, has violated the INF Treaty banning land-based medium-range nuclear weapons and is waging a war of aggression in Europe. We must react to this “for the security of all of us in Europe.” “And to make this clear, we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated by such statements.”
In an explanation of the Russian actions by the German army, it is stated that Russia has stationed, among other things, nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad exclave and can also hit German cities with its medium-range weapons. The plans to station US Tomahawk cruise missiles are a response to this and serve as a deterrent.
Source: Stern
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