The Telegraph: France offers nuclear shield to Europe
France is ready to use its nuclear deterrent to defend Europe instead of the United States.
According to the media, French fighter jets with appropriate weapons may be deployed in Germany as the United States threatens to withdraw its forces from the continent.
It is noted that Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, expected to become the next German Chancellor after winning the election, has called on Britain and France to expand their nuclear defenses as he seeks Europe’s “independence” from Donald Trump’s America.
A French official told the newspaper that the deployment of nuclear-capable aircraft would send a signal to Russia. And diplomats in Berlin suggested that the statements about the possible deployment of French nuclear weapons in Germany are an element of pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to do the same, proving that he is serious about contributing to European security.
“Deploying a few French nuclear-armed jets to Germany shouldn’t be difficult and would send a strong signal,” the source told The Telegraph.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Merz on Sunday evening before traveling to the White House to present his plan for European security and defense of Ukraine to Trump. Friedrich Merz has stated his intention to change Berlin’s policy on supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles after the election.
Speaking together at a press conference with Trump, Macron stated that peace “should not be a surrender of Ukraine” and called on Europeans to do more to protect the continent.
THE UNITED STATES
The United States has long guaranteed the security of Europe with its nuclear arsenal, most of which is located at a US military base in Germany.
France’s nuclear deterrent is currently independent of NATO, while the UK’s is a key part of the Alliance’s defense strategy.
The media notes that Emmanuel Macron has been pushing Europe to discuss the role that French nuclear weapons can play in the continent’s defense.
Militarnyi previously reported that Europe fears Trump will not follow NATO’s Article 5, which obliges allies to defend themselves collectively in case of an attack by other countries.
