On May 4, senior Social Democrat Rolf Muetzenich, who had already opposed the agreement to station U.S. missiles in Germany made by Chancellor Olf Scholz with President Joe Biden, told the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung that, given NATO’s capabilities, he sees no gap in conventional deterrence if the planned stationing is called off. Instead, he said, pressure must be brought to bear, “to ensure that Russian nuclear-armed medium-range missiles are withdrawn from Belarus and Kaliningrad and that further steps are embedded in a comprehensive arms control process.” By getting active in this way, Germany and Europe could regain their historic role, “that in the past consisted of deterrence and smart diplomacy,” Muetzenich said.
His remarks instantly turned on the alarm bells of leading defense “experts” among geopoliticians.
Christian Mölling told ZDF television the news of the proposal for missile withdrawal is “actually much more dramatic news” in comparison with the troop withdrawal. These missiles are crucial for deterring Russia. With them, one could “disrupt Russia even as it is mobilizing …” rather than only “when it reaches the NATO border,” Mölling explained.
