Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is again making threatening gestures: if the planned deployment of American missiles in Germany actually happens, Russia will react “in the same way”.
On Sunday, Russia will celebrate Navy Day with pompous parades across the country. The gigantic empire wants to demonstrate its power every year with impressive weapon displays. Putin did not miss the parade in his hometown of St. Petersburg. There were even warships from China, India and Algeria, as well as delegations from a dozen countries. If Russia were to no longer feel obliged to comply with an earlier ban on land-based intermediate-range nuclear weapons during a deployment, the 71-year-old raged against a belligerent background.
However, the INF treaty banning these weapons no longer applies after the US terminated it in 2019. According to Putin, Russia had until now imposed a moratorium and remained in compliance with the agreements. The US sees it differently. It has long complained about Russian violations of the treaty.
This month, the United States announced that it would station cruise missiles and rockets in Germany from 2026 as an additional deterrent. As a result, Moscow was extremely sniffy. Putin even spoke of a setback in the Cold War.
Kremlin chief warns of ‘missile crisis’
During the parade, the Russian head of state stressed that the missiles, which could also be equipped with nuclear warheads in the future, would bring important targets in Russia within reach. Government, military objects and important industrial facilities can be hit within ten minutes. He does not want to interfere. Instead, Russia will respond “in a mirror-like manner”. Russian warships should also be equipped with missiles.
The US could even trigger a Cold War-style missile crisis, the 71-year-old continued, comparing US plans to NATO’s decision to deploy Pershing II missiles in Western Europe in 1979. In response, Russia could resume production of medium- and short-range nuclear missiles and then consider where to deploy them.
Moscow could hit German cities
In a statement on the deployment plans, the German Bundeswehr expressed its alarm. Russia has, among other things, stationed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad exclave and can also hit German cities with its medium-range weapons. The plans are a response to this and act as a deterrent.
The U.S. weapons for Germany would include Tomahawk-type cruise missiles, which could technically also be equipped with nuclear weapons, SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles, and newly developed hypersonic weapons, which reportedly have a longer range than previously deployed land systems.
Source: Krone
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