Politico: Europe explores nuclear deterrent as “insurance” against Russia

European countries that have long relied on America’s nuclear umbrella are now openly discussing a new protective alliance against Russia centered on French—and potentially British—atomic weapons.

Leaders in Sweden, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands, among Europe’s most pro-American nations, have confirmed in recent days that conversations are underway about a European nuclear deterrent to complement the American one.

The move comes as US President Donald Trump’s actions have shaken confidence in NATO’s Article 5 common defence pledge, with allies alarmed by his disparagement of European partners, questioning of U.S. commitments, and threats to seize Greenland.

POLITICO spoke to nearly a dozen European officials and lawmakers involved in defence policy, many granted anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions. They described a continent seeking an additional layer of “insurance” against Russia, warning that the world could be entering a new era of nuclear proliferation.

While governments are seeking more clarity from Europe’s two nuclear powers, there is also unofficial talk of non-nuclear countries eventually developing their own weapons.

“As long as dangerous countries possess nuclear weapons, sound democracies must also have access to nuclear weapons,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said last month.

Countries such as Japan have floated the idea of building their own nukes, and unofficial debates are reportedly heating up in Canada and South Korea.

For Europe, the potential spread of nuclear weapons is seen as “very dangerous,” especially as the U.S. steps back from NATO commitments, according to Riho Terras, an Estonian lawmaker on the European Parliament’s Defence Committee and former head of the country’s armed forces.

“It's fair to say that the discussion about the nuclear capabilities in Europe should not be avoided in the current circumstances,” Terras said, adding that Paris and London should “discuss” scaling up their warheads too.

By Sabina Mammadli