Scholz commented on the deployment of American missiles in Germany

World powers should return to discussing arms control issues, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an interview with ARD TV channel. The Chancellor was asked if he understood the fears of the people of Germany about the possible outbreak of the Cold War.

"Everything we are doing should lead to the fact that we will have time again to talk about arms control between major world powers," Scholz replied.

He added that Russia had withdrawn "from all disarmament agreements" and Germany "must respond to this."

"That's why we have to be so strong that no one attacks us," the chancellor said.

In February 2023, Russia suspended its participation in The Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction Treaty (STCW), which was concluded with the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that Moscow was not allowed to carry out full-fledged inspections under the agreement. In response, Washington stopped notifying the Russian side about the status and location of objects subject to the START Treaty, including missiles and launchers, calling it "legitimate countermeasures."

On July 10, the United States announced that in 2026 it would begin the "episodic" deployment of long-range weapons in Germany, in particular SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles. Washington also plans to deploy hypersonic weapons in the country, which are still being developed and "have a significantly longer range than current ground-based firepower in Europe."

The Russian ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechaev, called the deployment of American missiles in Germany an "obvious and immediate threat to Russia's security." The Kremlin has previously noted that it considers negotiations in the field of arms control necessary.