Credits: Federal Times
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the United States’ and Germany’s plan to deploy US long-range missiles in Germany by 2026, comparing it to the Cold War era. Putin suggested that Russia might respond by deploying similar missiles.
Speaking at Russia’s annual Navy Day in St. Petersburg, Putin warned, “If the United States of America implements such plans, we will consider ourselves free from the unilateral moratorium on the deployment of medium and shorter-range strike weapons.” He added that this would include enhancing the capabilities of Russia’s coastal naval forces.
The planned “episodic deployments” of long-range missile capabilities by the US and Germany would put key Russian infrastructure within range of these missiles. Putin likened the situation to the deployment of Pershing II missiles in Europe during the Cold War, which alarmed Soviet leaders at the time. These missiles were withdrawn after the 1988 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) was signed.
Putin revealed that Russia is in the final stages of developing its own medium and shorter-range strike weapons and would take reciprocal measures if the US proceeds with its deployment.
The US and Germany announced in July that the new weapons systems, to be stationed in Germany, would include SM-6, Tomahawk, and developmental hypersonic weapons, significantly extending the range of current land-based firepower in Europe.
Russia has previously threatened to end its self-declared moratorium on deploying short and intermediate-range land-based ballistic and cruise missiles. This moratorium was announced after the US withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019. At the time, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia would refrain from deploying these systems unless American equipment was deployed in certain regions.
The INF Treaty, long considered a cornerstone of European security, banned such missiles but was marred by accusations of violations from both sides. With both the US and Russia now out of the treaty, there are rising fears of a new arms race.
