The geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically following the NATO summit in Washington, with the US and Germany announcing plans to deploy long-range missiles, including Tomahawks and hypersonic weapons, in Germany by 2026. This decision, part of the US Multi-Domain Task Force, aims to bolster NATO’s defense capabilities in Europe.The announcement has drawn sharp criticism and threats from Russia. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow will develop a ‘military response’ to this new threat, emphasizing that the reaction will be ‘calm and professional’. In a more provocative stance, Vladimir Jabarov, deputy head of the Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee, suggested Russia could counter by placing missiles in Cuba, North Korea, Nicaragua, or Venezuela.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the decision, calling it ‘a very good decision’ and citing an ‘unbelievable buildup’ of Russian weapons as justification. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius added that this move would close a ‘significant security gap’ in NATO’s defense.China has also voiced criticism of NATO’s plans and rhetoric. Both Russia and China view these developments as escalatory, with Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechaev warning of ‘irreparable consequences’ for German-Russian relations.In a related development, four EU countries – France, Germany, Italy, and Poland – have signed a letter of intent to jointly develop ground-based cruise missiles with a range exceeding 500 km. This initiative aims to address perceived gaps in European defense capabilities exposed during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.As tensions escalate, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has called for NATO countries to temper their rhetoric against Russia while still preparing their armed forces for potential conflict. The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely watching these developments and their potential impact on global security.
Key points
- The US and Germany plan to deploy long-range missiles, including Tomahawks and hypersonic weapons, in Germany by 2026.
- Russia has promised a military response and is considering counter-deployments in countries like Cuba or North Korea.
- Four EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, and Poland) are jointly developing their own long-range cruise missiles.
- China has criticized NATO’s plans and rhetoric as provocative.
Contradictions👾While German officials defend the missile deployment as necessary for NATO’s defense, Russian officials view it as a serious threat to their national security.
