US nuclear umbrella for Europe irreplaceable in foreseeable future German defence chief says

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has stated that the United States' nuclear umbrella over Europe cannot be replaced anytime soon.

Speaking in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Pistorius said, “We are very interested in deepening confidential dialogue with our close partners on nuclear issues. I believe public debates on this topic are misguided. The most important thing is that the American nuclear umbrella for Europe cannot be replaced in the foreseeable future, and we should not create any other impression.”

At the same time, the German defence chief emphasised that there are currently no signs of a significant withdrawal of US troops from Europe or any abandonment of nuclear deterrence.

“Yes, the Trump administration communicates differently than previous US governments. And yes, transatlantic relations have entered a phase of new uncertainty. But this should only reinforce our belief that we Europeans must rely more on ourselves,” he added.

Pistorius stressed that in the future, Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security to ensure that conventional deterrence remains stable or even increases.

His comments echo recent statements by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

“There is no alternative to NATO when it comes to ensuring security in Europe and North America,” Rutte declared on March 26 during a speech at the Warsaw School of Economics. “Without the US, the UK, Türkiye, Canada, Norway, and Iceland, European defence is unimaginable. And nothing can replace the American nuclear umbrella — the ultimate guarantor of our security.”

Rutte acknowledged the recent questions surrounding transatlantic relations and the US commitment to European security, but emphasised, “We are facing global challenges that are too great to tackle alone.”

He expressed confidence that the United States remains committed to NATO. Referring to the presence of American forces in Europe, Rutte noted that Europe must be assured of Washington’s support, while the US must also recognise that its NATO allies “will do their part.”

Rutte said the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague will mark “a new chapter for the alliance,” one that will result in a stronger NATO capable of addressing today’s challenges.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron had announced plans to initiate discussions with allies on placing European countries under France’s nuclear deterrent. Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Denmark have already indicated their openness to such talks.

The Financial Times previously reported that US allies in Europe and Asia are exploring the possibility of developing their own nuclear shields, prompted by the US administration’s move to rebuild ties with Russia.

By Tamilla Hasanova