Group of European countries express support for talks on joint nuclear deterrent – Politico

According to Ukrinform, Politico stated this in an article.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said that Riga is ready to participate in such discussions. She stated that nuclear deterrence could provide new opportunities and asked, "Why not?" while warning that any steps must comply with "our international commitments."

Estonia's Deputy Minister of Defense Tuuli Duneton indicated that her country does not rule out joining early-stage negotiations on a European joint nuclear deterrent.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron addressed European nuclear deterrence in speeches at the Munich Security Conference. Macron emphasized the need to rearticulate nuclear deterrence, taking into account the use of conventional weapons such as long-range missiles.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze stated that "Nuclear deterrence is a prominent subject" at this year's conference.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken also participated in a closed discussion on the subject during the conference.

According to two European officials, European countries could theoretically help support France's nuclear capability by providing conventional military assets such as submarines. Sources added that Paris may also consider expanding its nuclear arsenal with subsidies from other countries.

As previously reported, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius believes that Europe must assume significantly greater responsibility for the conventional defense of the continent while maintaining U.S. strategic and nuclear support.

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