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U.S. says it will deploy more long-range missiles in Germany, Russia vows “a military response”
London — The U.S. and Germany have announced together that the U.S. military will deploy more — and more advanced — long-range missiles in Germany in 2026, plans the countries say demonstrate the American “commitment to NATO and its contribution” to European defense. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov vowed that his country would respond, calling the planned deployment “damaging” to Russia’s security.
The new capabilities in Germany will include SM-6 missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles and unspecified “developmental hypersonic weapons,” the U.S. and German governments said in their joint statement. They said the deployment in 2026 would be “episodic” but part of planning for “enduring stationing” in the future.
“Without nerves, without emotions, we will develop first of all, a military response to the new threat,” Russia’s Ryabkov told journalists, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
While he did not specify what that military response would be, in comments to Russian television, Ryabkov said the joint American and German measures would not force Russia to “disarm” or trigger an “expensive arms race”.
The U.S.-German announcement came on the second day of NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit in Washington, where 32 members of the alliance formally declared Ukraine – still trying to fend off the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in 2022 — on an “irreversible path” to membership in the alliance.
Outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that Ukraine would only join “when allies agree and conditions are met,” alluding to systemic reforms that member states expect Ukraine to implement.
Harald Tittel/dpa via Getty Images
Russia vehemently opposes the eastward expansion of NATO and has alluded to Ukraine’s aspirations of joining the alliance as the reason for its ongoing assault on the country.
The NATO statement said the alliance “does not seek confrontation, and poses no threat to Russia. We remain willing to maintain channels of communication with Moscow to mitigate risk and prevent escalation.”
But declaring Ukraine’s future as a NATO member “irreversible” on Wednesday was enough to prompt a warning from Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former President Dmitry Medvedev, who posted on social media that his country “must do everything to ensure that Ukraine’s ‘irreversible path’ to NATO ends either with Ukraine’s disappearance or with NATO’s disappearance. Or better yet, both.”
CBS News
$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene