German Greens demand explanation on stationing US missiles

The Greens, a junior partner in German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, demanded an explanation on Thursday of why US long-range cruise missiles are to be stationed in Germany, following a decision announced at the NATO summit in Washington.

Green parliamentary security spokeswoman Sara Nanni criticized Scholz for not explaining the decision, which was announced in a joint US-German government statement on Wednesday.

"It can even increase fears and leaves room for disinformation and incitement," Nanni told the Rheinische Post regional newspaper. She noted also that Scholz had provided little information on the actual threat facing NATO.

The statement, issued on the sidelines of the NATO summit, said "episodic deployments" of the long-range missiles would begin in 2026. As well as Tomahawks, the cruise missiles include SM-6 "and developmental hypersonic weapons," which have longer range than missiles currently stationed in Europe.

"Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States’ commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence," the statement said.

Katharina Dröge, head of the Greens' parliamentary group, expressed similar concerns to broadcaster RTL/ntv. Many people could become worried following the announcement, she said.

"For that reason, I believe that it would be right for the chancellor to explain and answer these questions in public. In my view, he bears the responsibility for this," Dröge said.