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Brussels – The outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has remained reserved regarding the considerations of French President Emmanuel Macron to protect European allies with French nuclear weapons. At the EU special summit in Brussels, the SPD politician responded to a journalist’s question on the matter by pointing to the existing nuclear deterrence of NATO, which is based on the US’s nuclear weapons and involves Germany. “And I believe that should not be abandoned, it is the common view of all central parties in Germany.”
Previously, Macron had reaffirmed his considerations for a joint nuclear deterrence in response to the shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump. He had linked his statement to a comment from Scholz’s potential successor – CDU leader Friedrich Merz. “In response to the historic call of the future German Chancellor, I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our deterrence.” However, he wants to keep the decision-making authority for its use solely with France.
Shortly before the German federal election, Merz stated on the TV channel ZDF that there needs to be discussions with the European nuclear powers, the United Kingdom and France, about nuclear cooperation. The question of greater nuclear independence for Europe has been a topic among experts for years. “Unfortunately, it has not been adequately discussed in the political world until today.”
About 100 US nuclear bombs still stationed in Europe
Presumably, massive investments would be required because the British and French nuclear weapons have been merely a national supplement to the US’s deterrence through NATO. According to expert estimates, the USA still has about 100 nuclear bombs stationed in Europe – some of which are said to be stored at the Büchel airbase in the Eifel. In an emergency, they are supposed to be deployed by Bundeswehr fighter jets. US nuclear bombs are also said to be stationed in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey. There are no official figures on this.
Since Trump took office, doubts have been growing about whether Europeans can still rely on the US for protection. Macron had already offered Germany and other EU partners talks on a European cooperation for nuclear deterrence in 2020 during the first term of the US president. But he initially found as little resonance with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) as with Scholz.
However, “Der Spiegel” now reports that there has been a “structured strategic dialogue” between the German government and the UK and France, including nuclear deterrence, for more than a year, in which the security advisers of the heads of state and government have been involved since April 2024. Scholz did confirm such talks. “Nevertheless, it remains the case that we feel jointly committed to the NATO concept, and that is known to you and is also in the interest of common security in Europe,” he added.
Merz also in Brussels – but not at the summit
Macron is now hoping to find a true ally in Merz for his idea. He was also in Brussels on Thursday – but only for the meeting of the conservative heads of state and party leaders before the summit. He did not speak publicly.
The Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed Macron’s initiative. “We must seriously consider this proposal, as it must be one of our priorities to coordinate all our capabilities in Europe and truly build a well-coordinated force,” he said. The Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda also spoke of a “very interesting idea” for which there are “high expectations.” (March 6)