Peace activists and scientists are urging political candidates in Germany’s upcoming February 23 election to oppose the stationing of U.S. medium-range weapons in the country.

In an open letter seen by dpa, they also called for rejecting Germany’s participation in developing European medium-range weapons.

The letter circulated by The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in Germany and other groups, warned that stationing fast, precise and hard-to-intercept medium-range weapons in Germany would allow the U.S. to strike critical strategic targets in Russia.

The targets include missile silos and command centres – within minutes, with little to no warning.

This would likely provoke Russia to direct similar weapons at Germany, the signatories’ caution.

“The result will not be greater security, but dangerous instability, in which a single mistake or error is enough to plunge the world into the middle of a nuclear war,’’ the letter warns.

On the sidelines of a NATO summit in July, the White House and the German government announced plans to station long-range U.S. missiles in Germany.

This would happen by 2026, which would have the range to strike well into Russia, citing the increased threat posed by Russia to European security.

They specifically mentioned Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles and new hypersonic weapons.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had argued that the weapons served as a deterrent with the aim of preventing a war.

The letter’s signatories emphasised the need for arms control negotiations and criticised the lack of public debate or justification ahead of the decision.

(dpa/NAN)