Europe considers its own nuclear capabilities due to Trump’s policy change
Ілюстративне фото: Pixabay
European countries are discussing building their own nuclear deterrent at security talks in Munich, amid growing distrust of Donald Trump’s policy on allied security. The discussion suggests a possible strengthening of European defense capabilities in parallel with the US deterrent.
This is reported by Politico .
According to journalists, representatives of several European states have publicly supported negotiations on the formation of a European nuclear deterrent as a complement to the American system. At the same time, they emphasize that NATO remains the foundation of the continent’s nuclear security.
Estonia’s Deputy Defense Minister Tuuli Duneton said that the country does not rule out participating in initial negotiations on the creation of a joint European deterrent system.
“We are always open to discussion,” Dunneton said.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinė supported this position, while emphasizing the need to comply with international obligations.
“Nuclear deterrence can give us new opportunities. Why not?” Silinya said.
Journalists note that the discussion has intensified due to doubts among European states about the US’s readiness to respond to possible Russian aggression, despite statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the support of allies.
The discussion was also prompted by Trump’s statements on the Alliance’s collective defense, criticism of allies’ contributions to US military operations, and ideas about annexing Greenland, which belongs to Denmark.
In practical terms, European countries are considering strengthening the role of the continent’s two nuclear powers, France and the United Kingdom. At the same time, France is not part of NATO’s nuclear planning group and emphasizes that decisions on the use of nuclear weapons are made exclusively by Paris.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron also raised the topic of European nuclear deterrence in their speeches. Macron stated the need to review approaches to deterrence, taking into account conventional weapons.
“Talking with European allies about French nuclear weapons is important because it is a way to form a holistic approach to defense and security,” Macron said.
At the same time, not all European states support nuclear rearmament. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Europe should strengthen its defense, but opposed the development of nuclear capabilities.
“I firmly believe that nuclear rearmament is not the right path,” Sanchez said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported the possibility of European discussions, but stressed that they should not replace American security guarantees.
“I believe that any discussion in Europe that makes nuclear deterrence stronger is acceptable. But no one is proposing to replace US nuclear protection,” Rutte said.
It was previously reported that the United States is preparing for the first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a nuclear warhead , but without actual weapons.
As a reminder, US President Donald Trump said that the United States has enough nuclear weapons to “blow up the world 150 times over.” His words sparked a public debate about nuclear weapons testing and comparisons of other states’ arsenals.
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