On Thursday, Russian officials reacted strongly and vowed to respond to the US announcing that it will deploy missile systems to Germany starting in 2026 that were previously banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
“Without nerves, without emotions, we will develop a military response, first of all, to this new game,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov. He called the US decision “destructive to regional safety and strategic stability.”
Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador in Washington, said the deployment could lead to confrontation. “The Americans are increasing the risk of a missile arms race. Here, they forget that going the way of confrontation may set off an uncontrollable escalation amid the dangerous aggravation of tensions along the Russia-NATO track,” he said.
Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, warned of a strong response if the US goes through with the deployment. “I hope that it will not happen, because Russia’s response will be harsh and adequate. This is simply unacceptable,” she said.
The INF prohibited land-based missile systems with a range between 310 and 3,400 miles. The US and Germany said in a joint statement that the planned deployment includes a land-based version of nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of about 1,000 miles and are primarily used by US Navy ships and submarines.
The US and Germany also said that the deployment will include SM-6 missiles, which have a range of about 290 miles, and “developmental hypersonic weapons.” The statement said the missiles have “significantly longer range than current land-based fires in Europe.”
There’s no indication yet that the missiles will be armed with nuclear weapons, but the statement leaves open the possibility. The US already has nuclear bombs stationed in Germany as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing, but they are B61 gravity bombs that need to be dropped from aircraft.
Before the INF was signed in 1987, the Soviet Union had land-based nuclear-armed missiles deployed in its western territory that could hit western Europe, and the US had similar systems deployed that could hit Soviet territory.
When the US withdrew from the INF treaty, it claimed Russia was violating the agreement by developing the ground-launched 9M729 cruise missile. Russian officials denied the missile was a violation, saying it had a maximum range of 298 miles.
Russia also said the US was violating the INF by establishing Aegis Ashore missile defense systems in Romania and Poland. The systems use Mk-41 vertical launchers, which can fit Tomahawk missiles. During the NATO summit, the US also announced that its Aegis system in Poland is now operational.
The US refused to negotiate with Russia on the INF issues, and the Trump administration tore up the treaty in August 2019 and began testing previously banned missile systems almost immediately after. It was clear the US exited the treaty so it could deploy intermediate-range missiles near China, leading Russia to propose a moratorium on the deployment of INF missiles in Europe. But the US never accepted the offer.
Washington won't hesitate to burn "old Europe" any more than they did the Ukraine.
Yeah, well and God knows how very much they deserve it! These idiots are begging for it. So let them burn to a crisp in their own stupid.
No one deserves to suffer. There is enough suffering in the world already. More than enough to go around. No need to add more.
“developmental hypersonic weapons.” – which don't exist yet, and, according to Andrei Martyanov, won't exist for at least several more years, if not a decade – and when they do exist, they'll be at least a decade behind the Russian (and Chinese) technology.
Yes well, you'll see. Probably about the same time when our economies are developed to be competitive again provided with cheap and plentiful energy from developmental nuclear fusion reactors.
Ah yes, nuclear fusion reactors. Which, magically, are always just 10 years in the future.
I'll also repeat what I said before: Tomahawks are old and slow and vulnerable to Russian air defenses, and can in no way be compared to Zircons, Kinzhals and Avantgarde hypersonic missiles that Russia can use to destroy the launch facilities without any risk of interception by NATO "air defenses".
They can still be used to send nuclear bombs in Russia's direction.
How do German Citizens feel about become sacrificial sheep puppets for America?
Joey Biden and obama pushing the world to the brink of World War III.
Only the insane, demented, or senile like obama and Joey Biden think that a nuclear war is winnable. Here's some news: World War III with nuclear weapons is an extinction level event.
!!! WTF?!
Check out the statement from the Washington NATO festivities this week indicating that the US will put banned Intermediate Nuclear Missiles in Germany. These elites have no idea how the extinction of mankind is on the table.
https://www.amazon.com/Nuclear-War-Scenario-Annie-Jacobsen/dp/0593476093
It seems the neoconservatives in the US State Dept. have convinced themselves that the US can withstand an assault of nuclear warheads.
Where that idea is coming from, I can't imagine. But I also can't imagine their ongoing behavior unless they have that belief.
Or would they truly risk extinction to preserve an empire? Even knowing, as they must, that all empires eventually fail.
The Joe's handlers make the decisions.
Germans remember how Russians treated them after WWII – the largest mass rape of women in history; occupation; slavery; and the deaths of at least 1 million German POWs.
These are defensive actions, not movie fantasies.
That wasn't the Russians, but it was the Soviets that the Russians have overthrown.
Soviets, Russians, the same Red Army that defeated the Wermacht, which they had been fighting since 1941, all the while asking the U.S. to join in at the other front.
The US strategy has been for many years to prevent any one power bloc from becoming dominant. The US provided enough support to Russia so they didn't fall to Germany, but not enough to defeat them. Once both armies were weakened, the US did clean up and came out on top.
That's called strategy.
The same basics of geopolitics are the same, whether under the Czar, Stalin, or Putin.
The Russians didn't "overthrow" the Soviets; they decided to end communist rule. It didn't change the basics of Russia.
Communism collapsed under the weight of its corrupt Politburo.
Yes, but that wasn't the issue. The issue was the geopolitics, which haven't changed. Russia still has the same borders and the same neighbors as it has for a 1,000 years – China, Turkey, etc.
And the Soviets were no more corrupt than the Czar or Putin's kleptocracy. At least the Soviets were able to move their country from a peasant-based monarchy to a modern industrial state.
Agreed. Putin’s oligarchy would give the Czarist system a run for its money!
Whenever there is a war, always, always, always make sure you are as far as possible removed from being on the German side.
Why? Germany is a US ally, so we are bound by treaty to defend them if they are attacked.
Allies are essential to US security. A country that abandons its allies has none. This is basic geopolitics.
Also, Germany today is not Germany in the 1930s or 1940s. They are no longer ruled by a dictator with insane racial theories.
They not only support US interests, but also have values more aligned with those of the US than Russia. Germany is a democracy; Russia is a dictatorship. Germany respects international borders; Russia engages is wars of aggression. Germany supports freedom of speech and the rule of law; Russia does not.
So, you can focus on 80 years ago, but today Germany is aligned with US interests; Russia is opposed to them. It's pretty simple.
The deaths of Russians in the millions (20 + million) , the rape of their women, the brutal attacks by the Wermacht may have placed just a little revenge in the minds of soldiers of the Red Army.
No one denies the brutality of the German army in WWII; but the women and children gang raped by Russians were not soldiers; they we civilians.
And while you seem to imply that the brutal treatment of German civilians is somehow justified by the crimes of WWII against Russia, the German people may not agree with you. The point was the German perspective, not yours.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_during_the_occupation_of_Germany
Most of the commentors here believe that anything and everything the Russians do is justified because the West is corrupt and Putin is the savior of the world. Blind as f**king bats, they are!
The US, like all countries, is run by a corrupt elite, so it's relatively easy to make people cynical about their own country by simply showing the truth of our corrupt society. Hence, all the comments on the Internet (left and right) about Globalists, the military-industrial complex, the CIA, etc.
It's like in the 1930s, when the left show the failures and corruption of capitalism, and imagined a "workers paradise" in the Soviet Union. Many Americans also found the promises of fascism appealing, with its lack of the messiness of elections, debates, unions, strikes, rights, etc.
Ultimately, the truth comes out, and the Anglo-US system – despite its messiness – showed itself to be a better deal than the false promises of Soviet communism or European fascism. I predict the same thing here; and anyone who thinks life is better in Russia should go there. I know several ex-Russians; none want to go back.
It reminds me of the expression (usually — I think — attributed to Churchill):
Democracy is the worst form of government — except for all the others.
And some think the West (US) can do no wrong and hasn't been provoking Russia since the cold war ended. They also think since Russia will never use their nukes since they haven't as of yet while ignoring that up until this point their asses haven't been against the wall. But most of all some of them are delusional to the point that they think plucky little Ukraine can defeat a country with 3 times the population without direct help (BODIES) from the US/NATO.
I am definitely in the last category (as you know), Wars.
Aside fro the extermination of 25 million Russians and attempted genocide against Jews you should rethink your indignation. Spare me your crocodile tears.
“I can imagine what will be, unburdened by what was.” — Kamala Harris
So do German citizens ant to burn and die like the people of Hiroshima?
Read the Book Nuclear War and tell me you want to go down this road! It would be an extinction level event for all of mankind!
https://www.amazon.com/Nuclear-War-Scenario-Annie-Jacobsen/dp/0593476093
Yes, Hitler hated Russia and tried to ethnically cleanse it for his "superior" people. That isn't the question. No one is defending the Nazi regime or forgetting their atrocities, which are almost beyond imagining.
And no one disputes that nuclear war would be a horror, for Europe, the United States, and Russia.
No one wants war, which is why 141 countries supported the UN resolution demanding the Russia end the war they started. The only votes against this were Belarus, Eritrea, North Korea, Russia, and Syria. Nice company. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly_Resolution_ES-11/1
Only an idiot or a fool would not trace the expansion of NATO and the NEOCONs saber rattling back to the start of provoking Russia and China.
Which one are you an idiot or a fool??
I guess Germany just placed a large round bulls eye across its mid section for the Russians to target
I strenuously object? Is THAT how it's works?
Shocking news! Now, who would have thought that?
Don’t worry brother. Russia is stronger than ever
Actually, its economy and military were larger in the past. Its GDP is now less than California and life expectancy has dropped to 67 years (it's 76 in the US and 78 in China…) Drug use and HIV infection are spreading rapidly.
So, you are free to believe whatever fantasy you want, but clearly Russia is a sinking state. Unlike China, it is not adapting to the future; it is stuck in a past that no longer exists.
“Unlike China, it is not adapting to the future; it is stuck in a past that no longer exists.”
Tell that to the DC and London boys who didn’t get that memo since the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
If I tended to be of a religious bent, I would say that Lucifer's demons have been unleashed on the U.S. Government. Lookin at it from a non-spiritual perspective, if that be possible, what these two legged demons in D.C. are bringing upon the world is evil and demonic.
Sounds a bit like a movie Bill: psycho, sci-fi!
There is nothing "evil" or "demonic" about this policy, which is similar to the containment of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The world is determined by geopolitical calculations and efforts for power and wealth. Same as always.
Today, Russia is a failed, shrinking former empire (Russian Empire, Soviet Empire) that openly aspires to compensate for their failed economy through military action and threats.
It is challenging the US/EU position despite its tiny economy:
US: $22.9 trillion
EU: $17 trillion
Russia: $1.6 trillion
So – $1.6 trillion vs. $39.9 trillion. It doesn't really make much sense, except in terms of Russian domestic politics.
GDP totals are not the best measure of a nations wealth, the IMF has Russia 4th biggest economy in the world using Purchasing Power Parity
First of all, figures coming out of Russia are suspect. Second, a war-time economy is usually run on deficits; the German "economic miracle" under Hitler was all based on paper debt, which was worthless. This sort of trickery only lasts so long before it collapses.
Also, the European economy consists of 26 nations; add to these the largest economy (US), and "fourth" doesn't sound very impressive.
Only two nations on the planet are generally considered autarchic, that is, capable of supplying all of their needs from within their borders. One of them is the USA. The other is Russia.
GDP is a crude measure of productivity, measured in dollars. Self-sufficiency is a concrete reality.
And the US hates Russia for its economic independence. Because that makes it indomitable.
1. No one has reached that conclusion, and Russia is highly dependent on others. It couldn't even feed itself during the Cold War (even when it had Ukraine) and it lacks many basic technologies. It has a lot of oil and timber, but the people are not doing well. Life expectancy in Russia is 100 in the world (67 years), less than many third world nations. They could not last long without Chinese technology and oil says. They can survive – like loser countries North Korea – but that means no future for the country or the people – many of whom get out if they can.
2. Whatever the measure of the economy, Russia's is poor. It is being sustained by military spending, which means wealth goes into bombs and tanks that get destroyed. This economy is unsustainable, but it is fueled by a war Russia cannot win or lose.
https://cepa.org/article/russias-economy-closer-to-the-edge-than-it-looks/
3. The United States doesn't "hate" Russia. They would rather ignore it. So would the rest of the world. People just want to get on with their lives and move forward.
What’s happen to my Germany..? why have we become lapdogs to the terrorizing americans ..?. Prehab’s amongst all the idiots in German one will raise and sing Erika
This ok, dont be afraid antiwar brothers. Russia has your back.
thousands of nukes in Russia, more in Belarus, kaliningrad and the Artic. Now assisting North Korea and china is a strong ally.
They cannot touch us and we can vaporize them anytime we want.
Ukraine and West must and will be stopped.
Continue supporting Russia with your information war if you want peace.
Nuclear weapons are essentially useless, as their use would result in the complete destruction of Russia. Nuclear weapons did not protect the US on 9/11 or Israel on 10/7.
Working with North Korea is more a sign of desperation than anything to boast about, and the dedication of China to Russia is untested, and more a sign of weakness than strength.
Russia is a shrinking, failing nation that is trying to cover up their failed nation status by launching a war that has killed 100,00 Russians for no benefit. Ukraine was not a threat, and the West would be fine with simply ignoring Russia, as it sinks further behind the rest of the world.
USA arguably has the most powerful conventional forces in the World. This status allows it to bully/invade any other nation…. that doesn't have nukes; this is why USA is so adamant about keeping the nuclear club closed. No other nation is rich enough (or stupid enough) to spend that kind of money.
If Libya, Iraq, Syria actually had nuclear weapons as opposed to hype, USA and NATO would never have attacked/invaded. If Russia provided or even deployed nukes in Iran , Iran would be safe from USA and its little problem child Israel.
M.A.D. is a crazy idea, but unfortunately it works.
Most GOPers insist on, and defend the 2nd amendment as a means to allow US citizens to oppose the tyranny of their own US government. Yet they do not want nor recognize how nukes provide foreign nations to have that same right.
Russia has already out maneuvered both NATO and the US in Ukraine, plus they have proven that they are not isolated nor will they ever be. "Small minds" moan about Russia being weak, but cannot embrace that Russia, the BRICS, and the world at large have move passed US hegemony. Russia is shrinking?? they are thriving and will own Ukraine, because Ukraine is a failed state run at the behest of Uncle Sam..who "loses" all conflicts. You sir are a victim of US propaganda..period
Nonsense. I don't believe any propaganda, and unlike Russia, we have access to the real world. I study history as well, where failed states often turn to war to cover up their failures.
I've pointed to specific facts, none of which you have refuted. Russians have a low life expectancy; they have many social problems, such as out of control drug use. And making alliances with North Korea – the worst country in the world – is just sad.
So, it's not propaganda, but facts. And Russia is making poor choices.
Your facts are directly from the mouths of the corporate bought media which are all lies, and distortions. Why should I refute what I already know to be fiction?? Am I here to waste time with Russia-phobes?? Russia is making excellent choices in maneuvering away from the West, and exploring strategy relationships outside of the West. Furthermore the entire Ukraine war was avoidable from the start. What power would tolerate having an aggressive anti Russian military alliance on its borders?? Would the US tolerate this, would Germany, France or the UK tolerate this…no. Russia’s economic future is already better than it was when it was trading with the EU and the US. Now it does not have to worry about the laughable sanctions agenda which is destroying the dollar, and dealing with the corrupt liars and politicians running the West into the ground.
So, you can't refute a single fact. I didn't think so.
Hey, what happened? Russia used to be good at propaganda. Now your lies are very obvious, as weak and broken down as your tanks – nothing but bizarre and delusional statements.
1. You have no idea where I get my information from, and there are sources around the world that provide accurate information.
2. Despite your name calling, I am not a "Russia-phobe". The Russian people have done great things, but there are making poor choices under Putin.
3. You call working with North Korea "exploring relations"? North Korea is the worst country on the planet. It is a vile, corrupt monarchy that horribly oppresses its people. It is a nightmare country, where people are tortured, starved; entire families are arrested and murdered. My country (the US) has many flaws, but North Korea is truly hell on earth. Good luck with that "exploring".
4. Many countries have militaries on their borders – India/Pakistan, for example. And Ukraine did not attack Russia – it was the other way around. That is why no countries supported this war of aggression in the UN. That isn't "corporate media" but public record – all nations either opposed the war or abstain, except for 5 nations.
5. Russia's wartime economy is a fake, as was Germany's in the 1930s, built on debt and borrowing from the future. It's only a matter of time until it collapses. But don't take my word for it. You'll live it first hand.
And honestly, it is truly sad how many Russians are dying in this pointless war. Putin could simply live with the West and make a deal – no NATO membership for Ukraine – but it's a clown who preferred a horrible war that is killing his people to a simple agreement. I feel sorry for the Russian people. I know people from Russia and they were glad to leave and don't want to go back. That's not "corporate media," that's real people who know what's going on.
Alexander you are saying nothing…Where is the Russian propaganda? This is a ploy used by the West to make Russia appear to be weak, when in reality they are stronger than ever, and dominating in Ukraine . Your sources are obviously very anti-Russian, and serve the interest to those who want to hate Russia. Putin’s choices are far better and resolute than any of the weak and pathetic Western leaders which is why the West has no chance of forcing any win in Ukraine. Poor choices?? Putins choices are wise, and in the best interest of Russia and the BRICS nations.
Your statements are (weak) Russian propaganda because you provide no sources to back them. They are simply your opinion.
No, the "West" doesn't want to make Russia look weak; actually, no one cares about Russia, as long as it stops wars of aggression. People I know in Europe just want to live their lives, but Russians want to re-create an empire – based on their own words – as they had under the Czar and the Soviets.
If Russia wanted to be strong, they would emulate China. China is strong because they are advancing – economically and technologically. Their economy is growing. Russia's is shrinking.
Russia is "dominating" in Ukraine? Show me a military source that supports that claim. Russia clearly failed to achieve their goal of a rapid defeat of Ukraine, and a large number dead. How many? You tell me. Russia won't say, but Russian families that are losing fathers, sons, and brothers in this pointless war will start to ask why at some point.
And tell me – why are Russians dying in Ukraine by the thousands? Why? What is the purpose of the war? What has it achieved?
As for "propaganda," I refer to many public sources, such as the UN vote against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That is well documented and not "US corporate media". You can look it up yourself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly_Resolution_ES-11/4
As for Western leaders, the combined militaries and economies of the West dwarf those of Russia; and they have no need for Ukraine to win; Russia is stuck fighting a war it can't win and can't afford to lose. Clearly they have depleted much of the military resources – weapons, ammunition, and elite soldiers. They have exposed the weaknesses in their strategic thinking and logistics, and how they are stuck in a WWII mentality. So, despite the tragic deaths of many Ukrainians and many Russians, the war has been a plus for the West. But if you prefer your fantasy world, feel free.
Russia’s war was instigated by the US, and its attempts to surround it with NATO vassals via Ukraine membership. Furthermore under Zelensky and the laughable Azof Nazi Battalion Ukraine is nothing more than fodder for the West since it is losing territories by the month. My sources are actual independent media sources and military specialists from the US not aligned with the fiction based Western media. Why should I refute any of your pointless diatribes about Russian failures when you are an obvious lapdog for the terrorist regime in Ukraine???. Show me your sources and I will gladly show mine, but I think you are a Ukraine propagandist. Where are the large numbers of Russian dead..according to whom? They now occupy five territories in Ukraine which will never be given back…that is not losing the war. This war is to stop the US and the EU/NATO from threatening Russia. If you cannot understand this then do not respond.
Yes, antiwar "brothers"! (I guess the legendary Russian male chauvinism requires you to skip the women.) You keep salivating for Russia (after THEY started the war with Ukraine) to bring you everlasting peace by NUKING the planet!
Hahaha. Could you all be bigger jaggoffs? (I think not.)
SIMPLICIUS Ѱ
@simpatico771
⚡️🇷🇺Who knew that Russia doesn't need expensive cruise missiles to recycle Ukraine's power grid:
Once again, one of the units of drone pilots of the “North”, armed with the popular kamikaze drones “Ghoul”, and whose military specialization has temporarily become known as “cutting down power facilities, turning off the lights for the Ukrainians”, is going on the hunt for another substation. It is characteristic that until recently the enemy did not think that such small but very important objects in the overall energy system would be subject to thoughtful and targeted attacks. However, the “Northerners” quite logically considered that the soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were better off without light than with it and decided to disconnect the enemy from the benefits of civilization, which is, of course, good and correct. Especially considering that at first the crests themselves raided our substations in the borderland, but as it turned out, this game can be played by two people, and electronic warfare does not always help, especially if a new “Ghoul” attacks.
Sweden and Finland just woke up and realized that the American proxy NATO could put nukes on their land and make them ground zero for intermediate range nuclear missiles.
We can spend BILLIONS on Ukraine and Israel but can't protect the former President of the United States. Let that sink in.
Russia has already won in Ukraine, but that is not the real win. It is the ability of Russia, and the BRICS to establish a multi-polar world concept that no longer relies on the tainted, and vassal West for economic stability. The dollar will no longer be the reserve currency give or take three to five years from now thanks to the illegal and terrorist sanctions implemented by the West. Russia has won because the West can no longer trusted to be sound and even handed economically, or from military perspective.