German chancellor ready to discuss European nuclear protection, stresses US alliance first

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed the critical role of the United States’ nuclear umbrella in safeguarding Europe’s security, while expressing openness to exploring a European nuclear deterrence framework in the medium to long term.

Addressing the press during a news conference in Berlin, Merz emphasized that under current geopolitical circumstances, the US nuclear guarantee remains indispensable, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

However, he acknowledged emerging discussions about the potential for Europe to develop its own nuclear protection mechanisms, though he clarified that no substantive negotiations have yet taken place.

“First of all, I believe that we should do everything possible to maintain nuclear sharing with the United States of America for the years to come,” Merz asserted. He further elaborated, “This does not mean that we cannot also discuss on the European side how we can organize appropriate nuclear protection for our territory in the medium and long term.”

The Chancellor referenced French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent proposal to extend France’s nuclear deterrent capabilities to other European nations. Merz noted that while there is mutual agreement to explore this idea, no concrete initiatives have advanced beyond preliminary discussions.

“But I am open to discussing it, and that is a task that only arises in the very, very long term, because there are a large number of questions that need to be answered that will certainly exceed the timeframe in which we must first improve Europe’s defence capabilities with the existing structures,” Merz explained.

By Vafa Guliyeva