France's President Macron wants to check whether the protective shield of French nuclear weapons can be extended to allies. While CDU boss Merz had previously excited discussions, Chancellor Scholz remains skeptical.
The outgoing Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has cautioned to the considerations of France President Emmanuel Macron to protect European allies with French nuclear weapons.
At the EU summit in Brussels, the SPD politician answered a journalist question with referring to the existing nuclear deterrence of NATO, which is based on the nuclear weapons of the USA and is involved in Germany. “And I think that should not be given up, is the common view of all central parties in Germany.”
Macron grabbed statement from Merz
Macron had previously confirmed his considerations to a common nuclear deterrent in response to the change of course in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump. He had tied to a statement by the potential successor of Scholz – CDU boss Friedrich Merz.
“In response to the historical call of the future German Chancellor, I decided to open the strategic debate about the protection of our allies on the European continent through our deterrent,” said Macron. However, he wants to leave the decision -making sovereignty over an assignment alone with France.
Shortly before the Bundestag election, Merz had said that they had to talk to the European nuclear powers of Great Britain and France about nuclear cooperation. The question of greater nuclear independence in Europe has been an issue in the professional world for years. “Unfortunately, only she has not been adequately discussed in the political world.”
Still stationed around 100 US atomic bombs in Europe
Huge investments would probably be necessary because the British and French nuclear weapons are currently only a kind of national addition to US scaring through NATO. According to expert estimates, the United States has still stationed around 100 atomic bombs in Europe – some of which are to be stored in the Büchel air base in the Eifel. In an emergency, they are to be used by the Bundeswehr fighter jets.
US atomic bombs are also said to be stationed in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Turkey. There is no official information.
Offerings Already during Trump's first term
Since Trump took office, the doubts that Europeans can still rely on the protection of the United States. Macron offered Germany and other EU partners in 2020 during the first term of office of the US President about a European cooperation in the nuclear deterrent. At the then Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), however, he initially met with no response as with Scholz.
However, the Spiegel now reports that there has been “a structured strategic dialogue” of the Federal Government with Great Britain and France for more than a year, among other things, about nuclear deterrence, in which the security advisors of the heads of state and government have been involved since April 2024.
Scholz confirmed such conversations. “However, it remains that we feel committed to the NATO concept together and that is known to them and that is also in the interest of joint security in Europe,” he added.
Poland welcomes proposal
Macron is now using Merz to find a real ally for his idea. He was also in Brussels on Thursday – but only for the meeting of the conservative heads of state and government as well as party leaders in front of the summit. He did not comment publicly.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the advance. “We have to seriously consider this proposal, because it must be one of our priorities to coordinate all of our skills in Europe and really build up a well -coordinated force,” he said.
Russia, in turn, reacted with sharp criticism on Macron's statements. “Of course this is a threat to Russia,” said Foreign Minister Sergei Lawrov. “If he sees us as a threat (…) and says that it is necessary to use a nuclear weapon and prepared to use a nuclear weapon against Russia, this is of course a threat.”
