US cruise missiles to return to Germany, angering Moscow

Long-range US missiles are set to be deployed in Germany from 2026, marking the first time since the Cold War that such weapons will be stationed there. This decision was announced at Nato's 75th anniversary summit. The missiles include the Tomahawk cruise, SM-6, and hypersonic types. These missiles were previously banned under a 1988 treaty between the US and the former Soviet Union, but the agreement fell apart five years ago. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow would respond with a military action to this new threat. He accused Nato and the US of trying to intimidate Russia. The joint US-German statement clarified that the deployment of the missiles is initially temporary but will later become permanent. This move is part of a US commitment to Nato and Europe's integrated deterrence. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, speaking at the Nato summit in Washington, explained that the US plan aims to encourage Germany and other European countries to invest in developing and procuring longer-range missiles. The temporary deployment of US weapons will give Nato allies time to prepare. Mr. Pistorius joined colleagues from France, Italy, and Poland in signing a letter of intent to develop long-range missiles in Europe. The European Long-Range Strike Approach (Elsa) is intended to enhance European missile capability, which is deemed necessary to deter and defend the continent. Such missiles were banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, signed at the end of the Cold War. This treaty covered ground-launched missiles that could travel between 500-5,500 km. Russia's Vladimir Putin found the treaty too restrictive, and in 2014, the US accused him of violating the pact with a new type of nuclear-capable cruise missile. The US eventually withdrew from the treaty in 2019, followed by Russia. Politicians from Germany's Greens criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision to allow US missiles on German soil. The Greens are part of Mr. Scholz's ruling coalition, and their spokeswoman on security, Sara Nanni, expressed frustration that he had not commented on the decision. She warned that it could heighten fears and leave room for disinformation and incitement.