Agency Report –
Berlin – Peace activists and scientists are urging political candidates in Germany’s upcoming February 23 election to oppose the stationing of US medium-range weapons in the country.
In an open letter, seen by dpa, they also call for the rejection of Germany’s participation in developing European medium-range weapons.
The letter, circulated by The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) in Germany and other groups, warns that stationing fast, precise and hard-to-intercept medium-range weapons in Germany would allow the US to strike critical strategic targets in Russia – such as missile silos and command centres – within minutes, with little to no warning.
This would likely provoke Russia to direct similar weapons at Germany, the signatories caution.
“The result would not be greater security, but dangerous instability, in which a single mistake or error is enough to plunge the world into the middle of a nuclear war,” the letter warns.
On the sidelines of a NATO summit in July, the White House and the German government announced plans to station long-range US missiles in Germany by 2026 that would have the range to strike well into Russia, citing the increased threat posed by Russia to European security.
They specifically mentioned Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles and new hypersonic weapons.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had argued that the weapons serve as a deterrent, with the aim of preventing a war.
The signatories of the letter emphasized the need for arms control negotiations and criticized the lack of public debate or justification ahead of the decision.
