Scholz defends stationing plans for US weapons in Germany
"Scholz expressed regret for Russia's "massive setting itself against NATO as a whole and all in the SPD" regarding arms control agreements from past decades," said the Chancellor. "We all wish that we could live in a world again where disarmament control is of great significance," he added. "But now it's about ensuring our security through necessary deterrence, so that it doesn't lead to a war."
Germany and the USA have agreed that for the first time since the 1990s, US medium-range weapons will be stationed in Germany starting in 2026. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) justified this with a "serious capability gap" in Europe. Most recently, SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich criticized the plans. "The risk of unintended military escalation is considerable," he said.
Olaf Scholz, as the Chancellor, expressed concerns about Russia's antagonistic stance towards NATO and the SPD in relation to disarmament agreements from previous decades. Germany and the US have announced plans for the stationing of US medium-range weapons in Germany starting from 2026, a decision supported by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius from the SPD. However, Rolf Mützenich, the SPD parliamentary group leader, has voiced concerns about potential military escalation due to these deployment plans. Despite these disagreements within the SPD, it's clear that Germany's security considerations are driving the need for necessary deterrence, as acknowledged by Scholz.
