Russia threatens nuclear response to US missile deployment in Germany

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that it does not rule out deploying missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads in response to the deployment of US missiles in Germany.

The Russian news agency "TASS" quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying to reporters: "We do not rule out any options."

Ryabkov was responding to a question about whether Russia could deploy missiles carrying nuclear warheads in response to US missiles in Germany.

TASS reported that German authorities have not yet made any decision regarding the location of the US missiles.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius explained in a press interview: "Their location has not yet been determined."

He added: "The United States itself is still in the preparation phase for deploying these weapons in Germany, but I would like to clarify that these will be conventional weapons systems."

Washington had previously announced a plan to deploy long-range missiles in Germany for the first time since the Cold War.

Russian and US officials have accused each other of inciting escalation.