Tensions rise as Russia deploys nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad
Russia has deployed intermediate-range nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad, potentially leading to the US deploying similar systems in Germany. According to Bild, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock revealed that the Kremlin has stationed nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad, less than 600 kilometers (375 miles) from Berlin.
“Russia has long been preparing for this war [in Ukraine],” Baerbock stated. “For many years, it initially violated and then tore up disarmament treaties. The banned weapons developed can be equipped with nuclear warheads. They have been installed in Kaliningrad, less than 600 kilometers from Berlin. On February 24, 2022, Putin’s Russia began the largest war in Europe since 1945.”
Baerbock emphasized the need for a reliable deterrent against Russia, noting that this would also protect partners directly bordering Russia, such as Poland, the Baltic states, and Finland, who have witnessed hybrid activities at their borders in recent months.
The placement of these weapons in Europe was supposedly regulated by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed between the US and the Soviet Union in 1987. This treaty aimed to limit the deployment of nuclear-capable weapons with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (312 to 3,430 miles).
In February 2019, the Trump administration suspended US participation in the treaty, citing Russia’s development of prohibited missiles. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the deployment of US antiballistic missile defense systems in Europe also violated the treaty.
The US has announced plans to begin periodically deploying long-range weapons from its multifunctional operational group in Germany starting in 2026. These systems will include SM-6 missiles, Tomahawks, and new hypersonic weapons with greater ranges than current Europe-based ground systems. This move demonstrates the US commitment to NATO and its contribution to European defense.
Source: KYIV Post
