Germany proposes "disarmament" deal with Russia amid NATO concerns

Former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has suggested that the West should increase the deployment of American medium-range missiles in Europe, while also offering a disarmament proposal to Russia as a countermeasure.

Gabriel emphasized the need for a balanced approach to security in Europe, urging that the deployment of such missiles should not be limited to Germany, which is currently seen as the primary target for Russia's military capabilities, Caliber.Az reports via German media.

Gabriel proposed that in exchange for Russia withdrawing its medium-range missiles, the West could refrain from deploying new missiles in Europe. He pointed to the historic approach taken in the 1980s, when similar disarmament measures were negotiated between the United States and the Soviet Union.

“Measures to deploy American medium-range missiles should not only be taken in Germany, since at the moment it is the only target country,” Gabriel said. “And I would also like to see a parallel disarmament offer for Russia, as in the 1980s: if Russia is ready to withdraw its already deployed medium-range missiles, then in exchange we can refrain from deploying them. Whether we continue the course of rearmament in Europe or not depends on Russia.”

Gabriel’s remarks come amid growing concerns over security in Europe, particularly in light of the increasing military tensions between NATO and Russia. While Gabriel's call for diplomacy reflects a desire to de-escalate the arms race, it also highlights the strategic challenges of managing arms control in the modern geopolitical landscape.

As NATO continues to bolster its defence posture in Eastern Europe, Gabriel’s proposal advocates for a potential thaw in relations, focusing on mutual security assurances as a way to avoid further military escalation. However, it remains unclear whether Russia will be receptive to such an offer.

By Vafa Guliyeva