Putin tries to push West towards forced restraint - ISW
Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to use the tactic of nuclear saber-rattling to deter the West and influence decision-making processes within its countries, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The report referenced a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the naval parade in St. Petersburg, where he claimed that if the US deploys long-range missile systems in Germany by 2026, the flight time to Russian industrial and defense targets would be around 10 minutes. The dictator also promised to take mirror measures and withdraw Russia from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
"Putin is falsely trying to present the Russian deployment of missiles previously banned under the INF Treaty as an inflection, likely as part of his repeated efforts to use nuclear saber-rattling to push the West to self-deter," the report stated.
Deployment of missiles in Europe
In June this year, the US and Germany announced that starting in 2026, the US will begin episodic deployments of long-range firepower in Germany, including Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and Tomahawk land-attack missiles. These measures are intended to demonstrate the US commitment to the Alliance.
Additionally, the report notes that the dictator commented on the US deployment of medium-range missile systems, including the Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC), in Denmark and the Philippines for joint exercises.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock supported the US plans, stating that Putin's constant expansion of missile arsenals poses a threat to Europe. According to her, the deployment of American missiles would enable Germany to protect itself and its Baltic partners from potential threats posed by Russia.
In response, Vladimir Putin has promised to take mirror measures if the US deploys missiles in Germany.
