German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday expressed caution regarding the idea of using French nuclear weapons to protect other European countries, as he arrived at an EU summit in Brussels.
When asked by a journalist, Scholz referred to NATO’s system of nuclear deterrence, which is based on stationing US nuclear weapons in some European countries including in Germany.
“We are allied with each other through NATO. There are very specific rules on this,” Scholz said.
He added that what matters most is the agreed nuclear cooperation established in Germany: “What is particularly important is what we have in terms of nuclear cooperation organized in Germany. And I believe that this should not be abandoned. That is the common view of all core parties in Germany,” he added.
According to expert estimates, the United States still has around 100 nuclear bombs stationed in Europe, some of which are said to be stored at the Büchel airbase in Germany’s Eifel region. In an emergency, they are to be deployed by Bundeswehr fighter jets.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday he is considering placing allied European countries under the protection of French nuclear weapons.
The UK also has nuclear weapons but Germany’s complicated post-war history means that it did not develop its own.
France’s nuclear deterrent has played an explicit role in maintaining peace and security in Europe since 1964, Macron said in a televised speech.
During the recent election campaign, likely new German chancellor Friedrich Merz had suggested talks with the western European nuclear powers over an umbrella approach.
Source: dpa.com