Putin Vows 'Mirror Measures' to US Missiles in Germany
Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Sunday vowed to deploy previously banned long-range missiles close to Western countries if the US goes through with its plan to station similar long-range, nuclear-capable missiles in Germany in 2026....
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Facts
- Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Sunday vowed to deploy previously banned long-range missiles close to Western countries if the US goes through with its plan to station similar long-range, nuclear-capable missiles in Germany in 2026.[1]
- Speaking at a naval parade in St Petersburg, Putin said that, if the US goes forward with the move, Russia would take 'mirror measures,' adding that 'we will consider ourselves free' from its self-imposed moratorium on such weapons — a reference to the 1987 US-Soviet treaty that the US pulled out of in 2019.[2]
- Putin's remarks followed the July 11 announcement from the US that it will station Tomahawk cruise, SM-6, and hypersonic missiles in Germany from 2026. The announcement triggered a diplomatic furor in the halls of Moscow and Washington.[3]
- At the time, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the move. He said that Germany must 'have its own protection with deterrence,' adding: 'We know that there has been an incredible arms buildup in Russia with weapons that threaten European territory.'[4]
- In Moscow, the US decision was met with condemnation. Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia now considers NATO 'fully involved in the conflict,' and that it would respond militarily. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said that Moscow would 'take thoughtful, coordinated and effective measures to contain NATO.'[3]
- Jake Sullivan, the US national security advisor, called the German deployment a 'defensive capability like many other [...] we've deployed across the Alliance across the decades,' adding: 'more Russian saber-rattling obviously is not going to deter us.'[5]
Sources: [1]Newsweek, [2]Associated Press, [3]Guardian, [4]Aussiedlerbote.De and [5]The American Presidency Project.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The American Presidency Project. These are defensive weapons and are similar to what the US has had stationed in Europe for years. A torrent of Russian threats will not stop Washington from taking the steps necessary in order to keep the Western alliance safe.
- Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Moving these nuclear-capable missiles into Germany would put the weapons within a 10 minute flight time of Moscow. Russia has no choice but to take mirror measures in response to this obvious escalation. Moscow is not the aggressor in this situation, it is on the defense.
