Germany criticizes Russia's plan to increase nuclear arsenal

Speaking to the German newspaper Mirror on June 17, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized Russia's plan to develop its nuclear arsenal, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement to develop strategic missiles was unnecessary and did not contribute to stability or reduce tensions in Europe.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks at the G-7 foreign ministers meeting in Luebeck. (Source: Reuters)

According to Foreign Minister Steinmeier, the world has changed dramatically since 1989, it is no longer in the Cold War era, but the old ideas of this period are becoming stronger.

Mr. Steinmeier warned against pursuing these ideas, as well as getting into a spiral of increasingly escalating statements and actions.

Meanwhile, German Government spokesman Steffen Seibert also said that Moscow's actions will not help resolve current disagreements in relations between Russia and Europe or Russia and the US.

Germany's statements were made after Moscow decided to add 40 intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal, in response to the US's intention to send tanks and heavy weapons to NATO member countries in Eastern Europe, close to Russia's border./.

(According to VN+)