France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

Germany and France have agreed to deepen their nuclear cooperation, with German conventional forces set to participate in a French-led nuclear exercise by the end of the year. This announcement was made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz following talks with President Emmanuel Macron. The move signifies a growing European focus on defense self-reliance, driven by concerns about the future of US security commitments to the continent. Germany's participation will initially involve conventional means, and this cooperation is intended to complement NATO's nuclear sharing agreement, to which Germany remains committed. This represents a shift from previous German policy, with leaders acknowledging the current global situation necessitates new approaches.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany will participate in a French nuclear drill for the first time this year as part of a new shared "deterrence" strategy. This cooperation, highlighted at a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, may signal a developing new doctrine. Merz emphasized that this initiative is not intended to replace NATO's nuclear umbrella, to which Germany remains committed, but rather to complement existing arrangements. The move reflects a growing European defense self-reliance amid uncertainties regarding US security commitments. Previous German leaders had declined similar nuclear cooperation offers, but Merz stated that current global circumstances necessitate new approaches.