Deployment of US weapons - Baerbock campaigns for strengthened deterrence against Russia
According to criticism of the planned deployment of extended US weapons in Germany, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock defended a stern deterrence against Russia. Vladimir Putin has "continuously built up the arsenal with which he threatens our freedom in Europe," said the Green politician to the Funke Media Group newspapers. "We and our Baltic partners must protect ourselves and each other, also through stern deterrence and additional distance weapons."
Baerbock added: "Everything else would not only be irresponsible but also naive in the face of a coldly calculating Kremlin." Previously, SPD fraction leader Rolf Mützenich had expressed concerns about the US plans coordinated with the German government.
At the NATO summit, the White House and the German government recently announced that the US intends to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026, which reach far into Russia. Among them should be Tomahawk missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers, which can technically be nuclear-armed, as well as SM-6 air defense missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons.
"Putin's Russia is currently the greatest security threat"
Baerbock argued that Putin had broken disarmament treaties and the common European peace architecture years ago. "He wants to make us afraid, put us under pressure, and divide our societies." We want a different relationship with Russia, but the sad truth is: "Putin's Russia is currently the greatest security threat for us and our peace in Europe. And the brave Ukrainian women and men defend us from it every single day."
Mützenich acknowledged that the defense capability needed to be improved in the face of Russia's attack on Ukraine. However, he also warned, "the risks of this deployment should not be downplayed." "The missiles have a very short warning time and open up new technological capabilities. The risk of an unintended military escalation is significant," he told the Funke newspapers.
NATO has a comprehensive, graded deterrence capability without the new systems, argued the fraction leader of the ruling party. "It's not clear to me why Germany should station such systems alone."
- Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, expressed concerns about Russia's continuous weapons buildup, which threatens Europe's freedom.
- Baerbock highlighted the need for stern deterrence against Russia, emphasizing the importance of protection for both Germany and its Baltic partners.
- Rolf Mützenich, the SPD fraction leader, had previously expressed concerns about the coordinated US weapons deployment plans with the German government.
- The White House and the German government announced plans to station US weapons systems in Germany again from 2026, including Tomahawk missiles, SM-6 air defense missiles, and hypersonic weapons.
- Mützenich acknowledged the need to improve defense capabilities in the face of Russia's attack on Ukraine, but warned of the risks associated with the deployment of these weapons systems.
- Baerbock argued that Putin's Russia, which has broken disarmament treaties and the common European peace architecture, is the greatest security threat to Europe and Ukraine's peaceful defense.
- NATO already has a comprehensive deterrence capability without the need for the new US systems, according to Mützenich, who questioned why Germany should station such systems alone.
- The Funke Media Group reported on these developments, providing a platform for politicians to voice their views on the issue.
- The United States of America, along with its allies, is prioritizing defense and deterrence in response to the perceived security threat posed by Putin's Russia.
