Germany to host US missiles in response to Russian Iskanders in Kaliningrad Defence Minister says

The planned deployment of US missiles and hypersonic weapons in Germany is a direct response to the stationing of Russian Iskander operational-tactical missile systems in the Kaliningrad region, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced.

Pistorius stated that this move is aimed at "countering the threat from Russia" due to its missile systems in its westernmost region, Caliber.Az reports quoting his statement to foreign media.

He expressed confidence that the arrival of US missiles in Germany would reestablish Russia's deterrence.

Pistorius also mentioned that the exact locations for the deployment of US hypersonic weapons and cruise missiles in Germany have not yet been determined, but they will be strictly non-nuclear.

The decision to deploy long-range US missiles periodically in Germany from 2026 for the first time since the Cold War was announced at NATO's 75th anniversary summit. The Tomahawk cruise, SM-6, and hypersonic missiles, which have a significantly longer range than existing missiles, will be part of this deployment, according to a joint US-German statement.

Previously banned under a 1988 treaty between the US and the former Soviet Union, these missiles will be deployed episodically initially, with plans to make the deployment permanent later on as part of the US commitment to NATO and Europe's "integrated deterrence."

Politicians from Germany's Greens, part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition, criticized the decision. Sara Nanni, the Greens' spokeswoman on security, expressed frustration over Scholz's silence on the matter, warning it could heighten fears and leave room for disinformation and incitement.