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06/07/25: Denkmail No. 46 on the stationing of medium-range missiles in Germany (Berlin Appeal)
New US medium-range missiles in Germany?
Dear friends of peace,
A year ago, the then Chancellor Scholz tersely announced that the German and US governments had bilaterally agreed that the Americans would station new medium-range missiles in Germany from 2026 onwards.
These are offensive weapons of the types Standard Missiles (SM-6), cruise missiles (Tomahawk) and hypersonic weapons (Dark Eagle, 17 times the speed of sound), ranges of 1700 km up to 2800 km, conventional warheads, but in principle also nuclear-capable, under the sole command of the USA. Planning for this began in 2017, long before the Ukraine war.
In 2019, the USA announced its withdrawal from the existing INF Treaty, citing an alleged capability gap. The planned stationing is not linked to any disarmament offer.
Due to the capabilities of these weapons (extremely short warning times) and the proximity to Russia, this step represents a dangerous escalation of the arms spiral and an enormous threat, especially to Russia. In a joint declaration by Presidents Putin (Russia) and Xi (China) on 4 February 2022, the danger of a “decapitation strike” emanating from this is therefore mentioned. This also means an incalculable threat for Germany. Dr. Erich Vad, Brigadier General (ret.), therefore says: “The stationing agreement is not acceptable from a German and European point of view.”
Since this gigantic build-up has not even been discussed in the Bundestag or a resolution passed, a majority in Germany rejects the stationing (Forsa survey) and the corresponding Berlin Appeal has so far been signed by 60,000 people, a broad public discussion must be held on this threatening measure with all its implications.
If the Munich Security Conference (MSC) really wants to be an open forum for all security issues, it is essential that it be discussed there in a broad framework with proven experts from science, politics, peace work, citizens’ councils and also experienced military personnel (Erich Vad, Harald Kujat, Wolfgang Richter)! And please do not only invite those seasoned talk show participants who argue with war logic and are well-known from the media, such as Carlo Masala, Klaus Mölling, Claudia Major or Nicole Deitelhoff!
What do you think about this? We look forward to hearing your views!
With peaceful greetings
Erwin Schelbert
MSC 2025 – Observer Report by Alessia Neuner (Student of Peace and Conflict Studies)
Alessia Neuner visited the MSC 2025 together with Ralf Becker (Initiative Sicherheit neu denken).
Here is Alessia’s report:
MSC 2025 – Observer Report Ralf Becker (Initiative Rethink Security)
Ralf Becker was again one of the MSC observers for MSKv in 2025.
Important Note:
Due to recent statements by US President Trump, adjustments to the observer report were necessary.
The revised version is available via the following link.
