Putin Warns US About Missile Deployment in Germany
Moscow, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to the United States regarding its plan to deploy long-range missiles in Germany. He stated that if the US proceeds, Russia will restart the production of intermediate-range nuclear weapons and place similar missiles close to Western targets.
Earlier this month, the US announced that it would begin deploying these missiles in Germany from 2026. This deployment will include SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and developmental hypersonic weapons.
During a speech to sailors from Russia, China, Algeria, and India on Russian Navy Day in St Petersburg, Putin said the US risked triggering a “Cold War-style missile crisis.” He explained that the flight time of such missiles to Russian targets would be about 10 minutes, and Russia would take “mirror measures” in response.
These missiles, which can travel between 500 and 5,500 km, were previously covered by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed by the US and the Soviet Union in 1987. However, both countries withdrew from the treaty in 2019, accusing each other of violations.
Putin, who sent Russian troops into Ukraine in 2022, views the conflict as part of a historic struggle with the West. He claims that the West humiliated Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Western countries accuse Putin of trying to seize land in an “imperial-style landgrab.”
Currently, Russia controls about 18% of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of four eastern regions. Russia insists these lands are now part of Russia and will never be returned.
Relations between Russia and the US are reportedly worse than during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Both nations call for de-escalation but are also accused of escalating tensions. Putin compared the current situation to the Cold War era when the US deployed Pershing missiles in Europe.
The Kremlin has warned that the proposed US missile deployment would make European capitals targets for Russian missiles. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “We are taking steady steps towards the Cold War. All the attributes of the Cold War with the direct confrontation are returning.”
Doubts Revealed
Putin -: Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia, which is a large country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
US -: The US stands for the United States of America, a country in North America.
Missile Deployment -: Missile deployment means placing or setting up missiles, which are weapons that can be launched to hit targets far away.
Germany -: Germany is a country in Europe, known for its strong economy and history.
Intermediate-range nuclear weapons -: These are powerful weapons that can travel medium distances and cause massive destruction.
Cold War -: The Cold War was a period of tension and competition between the US and the Soviet Union (now Russia) from 1947 to 1991, without direct fighting.
Cuban Missile Crisis -: The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in 1962 between the US and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba, which almost led to a nuclear war.
