Merck and Macron Discuss European Nuclear Deterrence Strategy

“I have started confidential talks with the French president about the European nuclear deterrence strategy,” the chancellor said in Munich, where world leaders are currently gathered for the annual security conference.

Merz said Berlin would honor its legal obligations, referring to the 1990 international agreement on German reunification.

In an agreement known as the “two plus four” accord, a reunified Germany pledged to renounce the production, possession and control of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

Under the current NATO nuclear sharing agreement, US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe can be used by allied aircraft in emergency situations.

US B61 nuclear bombs are believed to be stored in northern Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and western Germany.

However, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and with changes in US foreign policy during Trump’s second presidency, calls for the creation of a European nuclear security umbrella have gained new momentum.

Following Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU), France is the only nuclear power in the EU.

Already in 2020, Macron offered to hold talks with Germany and other EU member states on expanding the framework of France’s nuclear deterrence strategy, but former Chancellor Angela Merkel and her successor Olaf Scholz rejected the offers.