According to two European and one American official, the US fears that Moscow will retaliate if President Donald Trump’s administration implements a plan to deploy these powerful missiles in the middle of the continent.
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The decision not to send them would cancel an agreement made during President Joe Biden’s term and leave Berlin without the defense measures that German leaders say they desperately need.
As ‘Politico’ notes, this move is part of a broader US withdrawal from NATO. The deployment of thousands of American troops in Germany and plans to withdraw certain resources have already been announced. In doing so, the US is undermining close partnership ties that generations have worked to build.
“Europe can take action now and in the near future,” General Alexus Grynkewichius, commander of NATO and US forces in Europe, told military leaders this week. He stated that America would “reorient” equipment and forces elsewhere.
US officials, while most fearing Russia’s reaction, are also likely concerned about rapidly depleting weapons stockpiles. In the first weeks of fighting in Iran, the United States fired thousands of Tomahawk and Patriot missiles.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told Congress last month that it would take “months and years” to replenish reserves depleted in the conflict.
The possible cancellation of Tomahawk missile supplies is alarming German officials, who are rushing to modernize their military forces to become a bulwark against potential future Russian aggression.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted last month that he does not expect the US to deploy Tomahawk missiles in Germany due to the limited availability of these missiles, which can fly more than 1609 km.
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“The Americans don’t even have enough for themselves right now,” he told German public television.
At this week’s quarterly conference of military commanders, the US announced further changes regarding its role in NATO.
According to the newspaper “Die Welt”, these changes include a reduction in the number of fighter jets, drones, and naval forces.
“The point is to provide allies with the information and clarity they need to move forward as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said a Defense Department official, who, like others, was granted anonymity. The discussion is about “allies taking primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense.”
The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment.
However, Russia has long deployed Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad exclave. It also claims to have deployed its medium-range Oreshnik missiles, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, in Belarus.
“A year and a half ago, we submitted an official request to the Americans to import – that is, to acquire – Tomahawk missiles,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told German public television last month. “We are still waiting for an answer. But, frankly, given the current global situation, I don’t have high hopes on this matter.”
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