Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to the United States, threatening to deploy similar missiles in striking distance of the West if Washington proceeds with plans to station long-range missiles in Germany.
The US announced in July that it would begin deploying long-range missiles in Germany from 2026, including SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and developmental hypersonic weapons. Putin, in a speech marking Russian Navy Day, compared the situation to the Cold War deployment of Pershing II missiles in Europe, which he believes was a precursor to a potential nuclear attack.
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He stated that Russia will take “mirror measures” to counter the US moves and might even resume production of intermediate and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles. Russian and US diplomats acknowledge that relations are worse than during the Cuban Missile Crisis, despite calls for de-escalation.
Putin frames the situation as part of a larger struggle against the West, accusing them of encroaching on Russia’s sphere of influence. The war in Ukraine is seen as a key component of this struggle. Putin’s warning highlights the seriousness of the situation and the potential for a new Cold War-style crisis.