Putin's Cold War Warning: Russia to Counter US Missile Deployments

The tension between the United States and Russia grows heavier as President Vladimir Putin issues a stark warning to the US over its plans to deploy long-range missiles in Germany. Scheduled for deployment from 2026, this move by the US, which includes the introduction of SM-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as developmental hypersonic weapons, has been met with a severe response from the Russian leader.

During a speech on Russian Navy Day before an audience of sailors from multiple nations, President Putin expressed his concerns over the dramatically reduced flight times to Russian targets these missiles would facilitate – potentially as low as 10 minutes. He assured that Russia would respond in kind to the West's actions, hinting at a reincarnation of Cold War-era hostilities.

This concerning development is against the backdrop of the 2019 dissolution of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty by both Washington and Moscow, with both sides accusing each other of violations. The INF Treaty, a landmark accord signed in 1987, had eliminated an entire category of nuclear and conventional missiles and was a cornerstone of European security during the Cold War.

The echoes of history are audible as Russia claims its actions fit within a historical struggle post-Soviet Union collapse. Meanwhile, Western powers and Ukraine condemn Russia's perceived imperialist aggression, as Moscow maintains control over approximately 18% of Ukrainian territory.

Dialogue between Russian and US diplomats seems bleak, with relations appearing strained beyond even the notorious 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, with little sign of de-escalation on the horizon. The Kremlin's mid-July comments already set a grim tone, alluding that European capitals would come into the crosshairs of Russian missiles should the US proceed with deployments.

These developments have sparked fears of a return to Cold War dynamics, with direct confrontations and a relentless arms race becoming increasingly plausible outcomes.