France and Germany step up nuclear cooperation, Merz outlines next moves
Photo: Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
France and Germany have agreed to work together on nuclear deterrence and have created a special group for this purpose, says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Read also: Zelenskyy says he would accept nuclear weapons from Britain and France 'with pleasure'
According to Merz, the initiative belongs to him and French President Emmanuel Macron. The German Chancellor added that both countries plan to take "concrete steps."
"Emmanuel Macron and I have established a nuclear steering group in which we coordinate on deterrence issues. We intend to take concrete steps before the end of this year, including conventional German participation in French nuclear exercises," he said.
Background
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Macron ordered an increase in the number of nuclear warheads in France's arsenal — the country will no longer disclose data on the size of its nuclear stockpile.
In addition, he said that France is strengthening nuclear cooperation with European countries, including Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark.
The agency also noted that EU governments are facing the most difficult security situation since the Cold War. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shattered perceptions of stability on the continent, while US President Donald Trump questioned commitments to NATO and the EU.
Nuclear weapons in the EU
France allows the placement of its nuclear weapons on allied territory to replace US nuclear forces in Europe. Macron stated that he has initiated strategic discussions on protecting the entire continent with French nuclear weapons.
Recently, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Germany and France are negotiating on European nuclear deterrence.
Meanwhile, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that Poland should develop its own nuclear weapons, as it is "on the brink of armed conflict."
