German Chancellor talks about US missile deployment

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has once again dismissed concerns that US plans to deploy long-range missiles in Germany could lead to an escalation of tensions with Russia.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Chancellery in Berlin on July 12, Mr. Scholz emphasized that these weapons (US long-range missiles) have a deterrent and blocking effect.

“This enhances security through deterrence… What we are always concerned about is the need to prevent war,” the German chancellor said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, July 12, 2024. Photo: Japan News

The leader of Europe's leading power reiterated that Germany will supply weapons to Ukraine in a way that avoids direct confrontation with Russia.

"We are clear about the decisions made within NATO: There will be no decisions, no supplies of weapons or choice of use of weapons that could turn a war between Russia and Ukraine into a war between Russia and NATO," the German chancellor said.

“But it is also clear that the decisions we make here are always aimed at ensuring the security of our country and the NATO alliance,” Mr. Scholz pointed out.

“That means we are strong enough, we are working hard and doing the right thing. This certainly includes air defense and deterrence,” he concluded.

Earlier, Washington and Berlin said in a joint statement on July 10 that the US would begin deploying long-range firepower capabilities in Germany in 2026, "with a significantly longer range than current land-based firepower in Europe".

It is the first time such weapons have been placed in Germany since the end of the Cold War, the DPA news agency said.

The German news agency also said that US weapons will include Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 km capable of striking deep into Russian territory, as well as SM-6 air defense missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons.

After news of the weapons deployment was announced, German Chancellor Scholz, who was in Washington DC at the 75th NATO Summit, told reporters that it was "something that is deterrent and guarantees peace, and that it is a necessary and important decision at the right time."

Russian officials reacted sharply to the news. Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov pointed out that such plans increase the likelihood of a missile race and could lead to uncontrollable escalation.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov spoke about the "link in the escalation process" of NATO and the US towards Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said his country and NATO were on the path to a Cold War-style “direct confrontation.”

“All the attributes of the Cold War with direct confrontation are returning,” Mr. Peskov told Russian state television on July 11.

Minh Duc (According to TASS, Yahoo!News, Al Jazeera)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/thu-tuong-duc-noi-trien-khai-ten-lua-my-khong-lam-gia-tang-cang-thang-voi-nga-204240713213232587.htm