Putin forbids US from putting long-range missiles in Germany

In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning to the United States regarding the potential deployment of long-range missiles in Germany.

Putin made it clear that if such a move were to occur, Moscow would respond by stationing similar missiles within striking distance of the West.

The strong message highlights the escalating tensions between Russia and the United States, further fuelling concerns about a potential arms race.

In a recent announcement, the United States revealed its plans to deploy long-range missiles in Germany starting in 2026.

The move is part of a larger strategy that will eventually involve the deployment of SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and developmental hypersonic weapons.

During a speech delivered to sailors from Russia, China, Algeria, and India on Russian Navy Day in St. Petersburg, President Putin warned the United States that its actions could potentially lead to a missile crisis reminiscent of the Cold War era.

"The flight time to targets on our territory of such missiles, which could potentially be armed with nuclear warheads, is estimated to be approximately 10 minutes," stated Putin.

"In response to the actions of the United States and its satellites in Europe and other regions of the world, we will implement corresponding measures to ensure a balanced deployment."

In 2022, Putin decided to send his army into Ukraine, framing the conflict as a significant battle against the West.

According to Putin, this move responded to what he perceives as the West's encroachment on Moscow's sphere of influence, which he believes began after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and resulted in Russia's humiliation.

Ukraine and Western countries accuse Putin of pursuing an aggressive territorial expansion.

They are determined to overcome Russia's control over approximately 18% of Ukraine, which includes Crimea and portions of four regions in eastern Ukraine.

Russia asserts that the territories, formerly belonging to the Russian empire, have been reclaimed and are now an integral part of Russia, with no intention of returning them.

What is the Cold War all about?

According to Russian and U.S. diplomats, the current diplomatic relations between the two countries are being compared to the tense atmosphere of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Both Moscow and Washington have expressed the need for de-escalation.

Still, at the same time, they have taken actions that could lead to further escalation.

In a recent statement, Putin accused the United States of exacerbating tensions by allegedly supplying Typhon missile systems to Denmark and the Philippines.

He compared these actions to NATO's deployment of Pershing II launchers in Western Europe in 1979.

The Soviet leadership, including General Secretary Yuri Andropov, expressed concerns that the deployment of Pershing II missiles was part of a larger plan orchestrated by the United States.

The plan targeted the removal of the political and military leadership of the Soviet Union.

"The situation bears similarities to the events of the Cold War surrounding the deployment of American medium-range Pershing missiles in Europe," stated Putin.

In 1983, the Pershing II was deployed to West Germany. This missile was specifically designed to carry a variable-yield nuclear warhead.

In 1983, Soviet officials, including the ailing Andropov and the KGB, expressed concern that a series of U.S. actions, such as the deployment of Pershing II missiles and an extensive NATO exercise, indicated that the West might be planning a preemptive strike against the Soviet Union.

In a recent statement, Putin reiterated his previous cautionary message regarding Russia's potential revival of intermediate and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles.

He emphasised that this decision would be made in response to the United States' deployment of similar rockets in Europe and Asia.