Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning regarding the potential reintroduction of intermediate-range nuclear weapons in response to the United States’ plans to deploy missiles in Europe, particularly in Germany. Speaking during a naval parade in Saint Petersburg, Putin stated, “If the United States carries out such plans, we will consider ourselves liberated from the unilateral moratorium previously adopted on the deployment of medium- and short-range strike capabilities.”
Putin further indicated that several such missile systems in Russia are nearing completion. He emphasized that Moscow would mirror the actions of the US and its European allies when it comes to missile deployment, stating, “We will take mirror measures in deploying them, taking into account the actions of the US, its satellites in Europe and in other regions of the world.”
The missiles in question have a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (300-3,400 miles), forming a critical aspect of arms control treaties that were previously established between the US and the Soviet Union. However, both nations withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, accusing each other of non-compliance.
In a significant development earlier this month, Washington and Berlin announced the start of “episodic deployments” of US long-range missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, to Germany, beginning in 2026. Putin highlighted that these missiles would pose a potential threat to “important Russian administrative and military sites,” capable of being equipped with nuclear warheads, leading to a striking distance of about 10 minutes from Russian territory.
Moreover, Putin noted recent US military exercises involving Typhon mid-range missile systems deployed in Denmark and the Philippines. He remarked on the chilling resemblance to Cold War events, particularly recalling the deployment of American Pershing missiles in Europe during that heated era.
Amid these escalating tensions, the Kremlin has reiterated that the proposed US missile deployments could position European capitals as targets for Russian retaliation. Kremlin spokesperson 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.”
