May 28, 2026, 07:40May 28, 2026, 07:40
Norway is moving under France’s nuclear protection umbrella, which the country wants to extend to allies in Europe. “You have agreed that Norway will join what we have called forward nuclear deterrence,” said French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to Paris by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Emmanuel Macron.Image: keystone
“Norway, an important geographical and strategic partner with whom we have already worked closely to protect the Alliance area from external threats, will provide significant added value to this upstream deterrence,” said Macron. Both countries also agreed on a defense agreement with a defense clause in the event of an attack. The step comes in light of the awareness that Europe must take greater care of its own security.
Response to Russian threat
Norway’s Prime Minister Støre highlighted Macron’s initiative to extend France’s nuclear deterrent to Europe, especially in the face of the threat from Russia. Nevertheless, deterrence will essentially continue to be guaranteed by NATO and the USA has assured that it will continue to ensure nuclear protection for Europe.
In view of the uncertainties regarding his partner USA, Macron announced at the beginning of March that France would expand its nuclear deterrence and extend it to allies in Europe. Initially, eight countries reacted positively to the French offer; in addition to Germany, these included Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark. France had already agreed on closer coordination with Great Britain on nuclear defense.
French nuclear exercises with partners
As Macron explained in March, the expansion of France’s nuclear shield could include allowing partners to take part in France’s nuclear exercises. In addition, strategic elements could be temporarily relocated to the allies.
France has been the only remaining nuclear power in the EU since Great Britain left the EU in 2020. According to the peace research institute Sipri, the country has 290 of the world’s approximately 12,200 nuclear weapons, making it the fourth largest nuclear power after Russia, the USA and China. (dab/sda/dpa)