US may deploy additional nuclear weapons in Europe: FT learns details of negotiations

The US is holding confidential talks on the possible deployment of additional nuclear weapons in Europe. The main goal is to reassure NATO allies amid concerns about the reduction of the US military presence and support for European partners.

This is reported by the Financial Times, citing informed sources.

Nuclear weapons may be deployed in new countries

According to the FT, US officials have expressed their readiness to deploy additional nuclear warheads beyond the five countries already participating in the Nuclear Sharing program.

Currently, US nuclear weapons are deployed in:

Germany;

Belgium;

Italy;

The Netherlands;

Turkey.

The US nuclear arsenal is also located in the UK.

As the publication notes, the new agreements may allow more countries to use dual-purpose aircraft (Dual-Capable Aircraft), capable of carrying both conventional weapons and nuclear warheads.

The greatest interest is in countries near the borders of the Russian Federation

According to sources, the greatest interest in expanding the program is shown by the states of the eastern flank of NATO – primarily Poland and the Baltic states.

Earlier, former Polish President Andrzej Duda had already called on the US to expand the nuclear deterrence program to Polish territory.

The FT notes that the discussions have intensified due to the fears of European allies about the possible reduction of the US military presence in Europe.

Europe is talking about its own nuclear deterrence

At the same time, Europe is increasingly actively discussing the creation of its own nuclear deterrence system.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that for the first time since the Cold War, EU countries have begun to seriously discuss the development of independent nuclear security mechanisms due to doubts about the stability of American guarantees.

French President Emmanuel Macron has already announced the possibility of expanding the French “nuclear umbrella” to other European states.

At the same time, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that all decisions on nuclear deterrence should be made exclusively within NATO and in compliance with international obligations.

Currently, among European countries, only France and the United Kingdom have their own nuclear weapons.