Amid escalating tensions, Moscow has asserted its right to use nuclear weapons if needed in response to the US and Germany’s plans to deploy nuclear missiles in Europe. The US State Department expressed concerns over Moscow’s response, pointing out the potential risks involved.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow would consider all options, including equipping its missile systems with nuclear warheads, to counter the deployment of US missiles in Germany. Ryabkov criticized the West for manufacturing threats and false accusations, leading to a dangerous strategy of escalation.
The US-German decision to host long-range missiles in Europe violates the 1987 INF Treaty, from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2019. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius justified the move as a necessary deterrent against Russian missile threats, particularly the Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad.
Moscow’s deployment of nuclear-capable weapons in response to NATO’s actions in the region underscores the heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with both sides unwilling to back down.