Russian ambassador to Berlin warns against deployment of US missiles

Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, has warned the German government of a further deterioration in relations between Moscow and Berlin if the United States stations long-range missiles there as announced.

"It is to be hoped that the German political elites will reconsider whether such a destructive and dangerous step, which contributes neither to the security of the Federal Republic of Germany nor the European continent as a whole, is advisable," Nechayev said. "Not to mention the irreparable damage to German-Russian relations."

The US and German governments announced on Wednesday plans to station long-range US weapons systems in Germany capable of striking Russian territory beginning in 2026.

It would be the first time since the end of the Cold War that such US weapons have been stationed in Germany.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday justified the decision as a necessary response to Russian aggression.

"We know that there has been an incredible arms build-up in Russia, with weapons that threaten European territory," Scholz said on Thursday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington.

Scholz noted that there had been lengthy discussions on how to respond with conventional deterrence in addition to the NATO nuclear umbrella, and that the deployment of long-range weapons had already been laid down a year ago in Germany's first National Security Strategy.

Nechayev claimed that the move would lead to further tensions, an arms race and the risk of an uncontrolled confrontation between Russia and NATO, which could have irreversible consequences.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said in St Petersburg on Thursday that Russian security would be compromised by such weapons.

"We will work out a primarily military response to this without showing nerves or emotions," he said but did not give any details.

Earlier Thursday, the German Greens, a junior partner in Scholz's coalition, demanded an explanation of why the US long-range cruise missiles are to be stationed in Germany.

Green parliamentary security spokeswoman Sara Nanni criticized Scholz for not explaining the decision.

"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.

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.