Russia stands ready to answer Western moves aimed at fielding medium range missiles. This stance was conveyed by Russian Ambassador to Great Britain Andrei Kelin in an interview with RIA Novosti. He stressed that the recent round of media coverage about European efforts to develop land based intermediate range missiles is dangerous and that Moscow will respond with the most suitable compensatory measures available.
Kelin highlighted that the United Kingdom has not yet joined the joint ELSA program, which is intended to create land based intermediate range missiles. The ambassador pointed out that such a gap could influence regional security dynamics and the calculations of Moscow as it pursues symmetrical and proportionate responses to any introduction of medium range capabilities by Western states.
In a separate thread of discussion, Boris Pistorius, the former head of the German Defence Ministry, was cited as advocating a public debate over the deployment of long range missiles from the United States onto German soil. This suggestion reflects ongoing discomfort inside some Berlin circles about hosting new capabilities and the political friction it creates among European partners and Russia.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock outlined the position urging clarity on the need to host American long range missiles on German territory, arguing that the perceived threat from Russia to Berlin and Europe ultimately shapes these security considerations.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously faced international commentary when his government authorized or contemplated the deployment of United States missiles, with critics calling the decision provocative and potentially destabilizing for the European strategic balance. Observers note that such moves by allied states complicate regional deterrence calculations and raise questions about the optimal mix of alliance guarantees and national security prerogatives.