The German government is once again defending the planned deployment of long-range US missiles in Germany after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of retaliatory military measures. German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said that Berlin had already outlined the reasons for the stationing of US missiles from 2026 that can reach as far away as Russia. “Namely, because Russia has changed the strategic balance in Europe and is threatening Europe and Germany with cruise missiles – and we have to establish this deterrent,” she said on Monday. Putin on Sunday warned of a Cold War-styl…