Scientists are urging European allies to take quick steps to expand nuclear deterrence.
02/12/2026, 03:4902/12/2026, 03:49
In a report to be presented at the Munich Security Conference beginning on Friday, they warn of a “gap”. “The Europeans cannot continue to outsource thinking about nuclear deterrence to the USA. The era in which Europe could afford nuclear negligence is over,” the authors write.
Only France and Great Britain are nuclear powers in Europe. (archive image)Image: keystone
“However uncomfortable the debate may be, the new security environment requires that European decision-makers address the role of nuclear weapons in defense directly and without delay – and provide the necessary resources to do so competently,” it continues. That is the price of avoiding strategic failure in the future.
Not a good path with less support from the USA
The researchers are investigating five options. In addition to continued reliance on US deterrence and a strengthening of the European nuclear powers Great Britain and France, this also includes three partly controversial paths: development of a common nuclear deterrent in Europe, independent steps by individual nations and investments in deterrence only with conventional weapons without nuclear weapons.
The debate about the right path has long been treated as untouchable, but is now important and unavoidable, say the researchers. They also note that there is no good way forward for Europe with less US support.
The study was carried out by the European Nuclear Study Group, an initiative launched in 2024 in which the Munich Security Conference, the Hertie School in Berlin and the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland are involved.
Pistorius in Brussels: “The signal is wrong”
Shortly before the Munich Security Conference, EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas had already spoken out in favor of an open debate about European nuclear deterrence capacities. The background is the fact that the transatlantic alliance “is no longer what it once was”.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) made cautious comments in Brussels on Wednesday. In the new US defense strategy there is “no indication whatsoever that the Americans have any intention of withdrawing from their nuclear deterrence responsibility for Europe within NATO,” he said.
Pistorius: “You can speculate about anything, but to believe that we would be able to replace the Americans’ nuclear deterrent shield now or in five or even ten years, you can believe that. I think the signal is wrong.” (sda/dpa)