Russia does not rule out the possibility of deploying new nuclear missiles in response to the planned US deployment of long-range conventional weapons in Germany, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said, Interfax reported, quoted by BTA.
The agency quoted Ryabkov as telling journalists in Moscow that the defense of Russia's Kaliningrad region, located between Poland and Lithuania - two NATO member countries, is particularly important.
"I do not rule out any possibilities," said the Russian deputy foreign minister when asked to comment on US plans to station weapons in Germany.
The United States announced last week that starting in 2026 it will begin deploying weapons to Germany, which will include SM-6 missiles (SM-6 - multi-purpose surface-to-air missiles with very long range - ed.), cruise Tomahawk missiles and new hypersonic missiles to demonstrate their commitment to NATO and to European defense, notes Reuters.
Interfax quoted Ryabkov as saying that Moscow will choose from the widest possible range of options to give the most effective response to US actions, including in terms of costs.
Ryabkov said Kaliningrad Oblast, the westernmost part of Russia that is cut off from the rest of the country, "has long attracted the malicious attention of adversaries" of Moscow.