Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov hinted on Wednesday that Moscow could deploy new nuclear weapons in response to the US stationing long-range missiles and hypersonic weapons in Germany. This move comes as a reaction to repeated Russian statements that they would not immediately rule out the use of nuclear weapons if necessary to protect the regime of President Vladimir Putin from a potential NATO attack or escalations in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to Ryabkov, “I’m not ruling out any options,” and suggested that more nuclear deployments could be considered to ensure Russia has the “widest possible optionality.” He emphasized that Russia must “calibrate our responses without any internal checks” when considering the combined capabilities of NATO member countries.
The Russian ambassador to Berlin, Sergey Nechayev, similarly stated that the US move to position American missiles in Germany was a “risk” that Russia would respond to with an “appropriate” measure. Germany’s willingness to support the US policy has drawn criticism from Moscow, with Ryabkov warning that the country is “playing the role of NATO’s main pillar in Europe, despite the evident military and political risks.”
The White House announcement of new missile deployments in Germany has sparked concerns in Europe, with Russian officials emphasizing the need to prepare for potential nuclear conflicts. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly suggested that he would consider the use of nuclear weapons if he felt sufficiently threatened, and his advisor, former president and deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, has warned that attempts to “return Russia to the borders of 1991” would lead to a global war.
The NATO summit earlier this month emphasized the importance of nuclear deterrence, condemning Russia for its “irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and coercive nuclear signalling.” The alliance remains committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of its nuclear deterrence mission.
