Russia Warns About Deployment of US Missiles in European Countries

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, warned on Saturday, July 13, that if European countries accept the deployment of US long-range missiles on their territory, they will expose themselves to danger. In response to a question about the possibility of deploying US hypersonic missiles in Europe, he said, "We have sufficient potential to deter these missiles" and threatened that "the capitals of these countries are potential victims." The Kremlin spokesperson added, "Throughout the Cold War, American missiles deployed in Europe targeted Russia, and Russian missiles targeted European countries, thus Europe was the main victim of any potential conflict." This Russian official further claimed that Europe is disintegrating and is "repeating its history." Following the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US plans to deploy its long-range missiles in Germany for the first time since the Cold War. This action has sparked a new diplomatic struggle between Washington and Moscow and raised concerns about the onset of a new arms race. The announcement of the US plan to deploy long-range missiles in Germany starting in 2026 has met with a strong reaction from Moscow. This decision comes after the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between Washington and Moscow collapsed in 2019. However, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, has deemed this decision in line with his government's security strategy. Mr. Scholz stated that this decision has been under consideration for a long time and is not surprising for those familiar with security and peace policies. In contrast, Sergey Ryabkov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, accused NATO of escalating tensions and referred to this action as "another link in the escalation chain." Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, described these missiles as having defensive capabilities and stated that Russian threats will not prevent NATO unity. He emphasized that this action is aimed at strengthening NATO's defensive capabilities and that Russia's reaction will not affect US decisions. Meanwhile, Boris Pistorius, the German Defense Minister, has called for an increase in the country's defense budget and emphasized the need for a long-term plan to invest in appropriate defense systems. Some German politicians believe this decision does not enhance national security and increases the risk of Germany becoming a battlefield. The agreement to deploy cruise missiles has faced strong opposition from many politicians in Germany, and some members of Olaf Scholz's coalition government have called for greater transparency in this regard. Critics argue that this action represents a significant setback in efforts to reduce global nuclear arsenals. According to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between Moscow and Washington in 1987, ground-launched missiles with ranges over 500 kilometers were banned until 2019. The US is deploying long-range weapons in Germany to demonstrate its commitment to NATO and the defense of Europe. Ukraine has received its third Patriot air defense system from Germany. Zelensky has called for the strengthening of Ukraine's defense system against "guided bombs" from Russia. New US sanctions have been imposed against two individuals and three Russian companies due to the transfer of military weapons between Russia and North Korea. The Kremlin claims that the support of Britain and France for Ukraine is dangerous for European security. The US has urged China and Russia not to entrust nuclear weapons control to "artificial intelligence."