Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the decision to deploy long-range American missiles in Germany, emphasizing its role in ensuring peace and deterrence. Scholz made these remarks during a NATO summit in Washington, underscoring the necessity and timeliness of the move.
The White House announced that from 2026, the US would station new weapons in Germany, including SM-6, Tomahawk, and hypersonic missiles. This deployment aims to fill a significant gap in Germany's military capabilities, as highlighted by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Pistorius noted that these long-range missiles are a temporary measure until Germany develops its own capabilities.
The decision has sparked considerable debate within Germany, a country still haunted by the Cold War. Critics, including members of Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens, argue that this move could lead to rearmament and increase the risk of Germany becoming a war theater. Ralf Stegner from the SPD and Sahra Wagenknecht from the radical left both expressed concerns about the potential dangers.
The deployment is part of a broader strategy by NATO countries, led by the US, to bolster defenses in Europe in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Kremlin has already announced plans for 'response measures' to counter what it perceives as a serious threat from NATO.
The Greens have criticized Scholz for not adequately addressing the actual threat situation and the financial implications of the decision. Sara Nanni, the Greens' security spokeswoman, and Katharina Dröge, the parliamentary group leader, have both called for more transparency and communication from Scholz.
Despite the criticisms, the SPD supports the agreement, viewing it as a necessary step to deter Russia. Defense Minister Pistorius sees the agreement as a mandate for Germany to invest in its own long-range weapons development and procurement. Russia, on the other hand, has indicated it will respond militarily to this new development.
