As European leaders grapple with the increasingly unpredictable behaviour of US President Donald Trump and the ongoing threat posed by a resurgent Russia, discussions have begun regarding the possibility of securing their own nuclear deterrents. This development comes in the wake of Trump’s growing hostility towards NATO allies and his promotion of expansionist policies.
Multiple senior European officials have revealed to NBC News that conversations are underway about potentially looking to France and the United Kingdom, rather than relying on the United States, or even developing their own nuclear arsenals. “We are discussing how to protect Europe with a nuclear deterrent with or without the United States,” one official stated.
The discussions are described as “intense and productive” as European nations seek to safeguard their security in the face of the “new nuclear era” brought about by the crumbling of the “world order” under Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This pivot away from US dependence mirrors a similar move by Canada, which has reportedly approached China as a potentially more reliable and stable international partner.
The news emerges as world leaders and business figures convened in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum. Trump, who attended the event, maintained his ongoing threats to seize Greenland, a Danish territory and NATO member, before later announcing that he was scrapping his proposed tariffs on European allies regarding US control of the Arctic region.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to deliver an address on France’s nuclear strategy in the coming weeks, as France remains the sole European Union nation possessing nuclear weapons, along with the United Kingdom as NATO’s other nuclear-capable member outside the US.
European officials have revealed that they could pursue several strategies to strengthen their nuclear defence capabilities independently of American support. These include enhancing France’s nuclear arsenal, repositioning its bombers beyond French borders, and reinforcing NATO’s eastern frontier.
While some have suggested that these discussions may serve more as a negotiating strategy than a genuine plan, the underlying message is clear: “Help us, or we will do something crazy,” as one research fellow at the French Institute of International Relations put it.
The European leaders’ attempts to shield themselves from the nuclear-armed Russia coincide with Trump’s invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join his “Board of Peace,” which appears to be a pseudo-alternative to NATO that would cost nations $1 billion to participate in.
As the world navigates this “new nuclear era,” the future of Europe’s security and its relationship with the United States remains uncertain, with European nations exploring their options to ensure their own protection.
