“Actually the much more dramatic news”
There are Russian “missiles from Kaliningrad that threaten us,” said Nico Lange, an expert on security policy, on the ARD Tagesschau. Germany does not have the right missiles to create a “counter-threat”. “We wanted to get them from America, but we can’t get them now.” The Europeans just need to “create this capability as quickly as possible because it is very important for our security.”
Security expert Christian Mölling said on ZDF that an end to the missile deal was “actually the much more dramatic news.” Such missiles are the central element of deterrence, “because we are talking about missiles that are capable of disrupting Russia as it is already on the move – not just when it comes to the NATO border, but much earlier.” The absence of the battalion also weakens NATO’s deterrence and therefore makes direct American deployment within the alliance more likely.
Demand to Pistorius: “More speed is needed”
The deputy SPD parliamentary group leader Siemtje Möller also expressed concern that the agreed medium-range missiles could not be deployed. “In addition to accelerating the European ELSA project, it would then be good to examine how the gap until the production of the ELSA rockets can be bridged through cooperation with other countries such as Ukraine,” she told the Reuters news agency, referring to the rocket development of some European countries, including Germany.
Ukraine not only massively developed its drone capabilities during the war, but also says it is now building missiles that can attack targets deep in the Russian hinterland.
The Union’s defense policy spokesman, Thomas Erndl (CSU), called on Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) to quickly find a replacement for the “Tomahawk”. “We really don’t have any time to lose on the way to a stronger Bundeswehr,” he told the “Bild” newspaper. “We need more speed, a short-term action plan and, especially for precise long-range weapons, innovative approaches to quickly achieve this capability.”
NATO is looking for answers
NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said on Saturday on the online service The US government’s “adjustment” underlines that “Europe must continue to invest more in defense and assume a greater share of responsibility for our common security.” She initially did not comment on a possible end to the missile deal.
The federal government initially reacted soberly. Defense Minister Pistorius described the US decision to reduce American troops as “foreseeable” on Saturday. He declared that the presence of US soldiers “in Europe and especially in Germany” was “in our interest and in the interest of the USA.” In view of the announced US partial withdrawal, he emphasized: “We have to become more European within NATO in order to remain transatlantic.” Europeans must “take more responsibility for our security.” Germany is “on the right track,” assured Pistorius.
