Germany calls for Europe–Ukraine missile cooperation
Photo: Tomahawk cruise missile (navy.mil)
Roderich Kiesewetter, a defense expert from the Christian Democratic Union, said that Europe should consider jointly developing missiles with Ukraine amid the United States’ decision not to deploy Tomahawk cruise missile systems in Germany, Tagesschau reports.
US decision draws criticism
Roderich Kiesewetter said that European countries should reconsider their approach to security and strengthen their defense capabilities.
In his view, the United States’ refusal to deploy Tomahawk cruise missile systems in Germany is a "huge mistake" and creates additional risks for the region.
Threat to Europe’s security
Kiesewetter stressed that the absence of US intermediate-range systems capable of countering Russia’s nuclear threat directly affects the level of protection of European countries.
He believes the consequences could be more serious than a reduction in the US military presence, including the withdrawal of 5,000 American troops from Germany.
Alternative through cooperation
As a possible solution, the expert suggested focusing on creating an alternative to US weapons. This would involve developing missile systems in partnership with Ukraine.
"The solution is to develop something similar jointly with Ukraine so that such systems are available by 2030," he said.
Signal to the Kremlin
Roderich Kiesewetter also noted that Moscow could perceive the refusal to deploy Tomahawk cruise missile systems as a dangerous signal. He recalled that Russia violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty back in 2017.
"Russia does not negotiate — it presents faits accomplis. And the fact that we are now, in essence, abandoning a standard modernization program is a huge mistake," he emphasized.
Position of security experts
Security expert Nico Lange also spoke in favor of creating alternative deterrence systems.
According to him, Europe needs its own — or at least US-independent — long-range capabilities.
"If American missiles do not appear, we will need German or European ones, or at least deterrence systems independent of US decisions that can provide long-range strike capability," the expert said.
He added that the Russian Iskander missile system deployed in Kaliningrad poses a threat to all of Europe. Without US missiles, this gap in deterrence will remain.
Germany is allocating billions of euros to modernize port infrastructure, which will be used to transport military equipment. These measures are seen as part of preparations for a potential military conflict in Europe.
Additionally, Lange — the former chief of staff at Germany’s Ministry of Defense — stated that cooperation between Germany and Ukraine should be based on joint ventures, while Ukraine must retain control over its technologies and data.
