The new Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Murch, who met earlier today in Paris with the president of France Emmanuel Macron, said he wants to “talk to France and Britain” on the issue of nuclear “deterrence.”

This discussion “is categorically seen as complementary to what we have already said with our American partners in NATO,” Murch added at a joint press conference with Macron.

“We will instruct our competent ministers to start this discussion,” he added.

Merts noted, however, that “there is no question of replacing the security guarantees that the US offers to Europe.”

“Nuclear security”

In the face of spectacular rapprochement between Donald Trump’s US and Russia and Washington’s potential disengagement from Europe, Murch called in February on France and Britain, the two European nuclear powers, to discuss whether Germany could benefit from a possible “nuclear sharing of nuclear weapons or at least whether they would provide nuclear security.”

Strengthening “the European pillar of NATO” does not weaken the Atlantic Alliance. On the contrary, it represents a greater responsibility for the Europeans themselves, Macron said for his part.

“It is perfectly natural to discuss all issues, including that of nuclear deterrence, taking into account our histories, our specificities,” he added.

From the outset, French nuclear deterrence is independent and based only on the assessments of one man, the country’s president, of a danger that threatens the country’s vital interests.

In their meeting, the first since Merts took office, the two leaders also discussed strengthening their defense cooperation at a time when both countries are increasing their defense budgets. “We will accelerate Franco-German programs, we will develop new capabilities,” notably tanks, fighter jets and long-range missiles, Macron explained.

The two countries also decided to “coordinate” and share their strategic analyses, as well as launch a “Franco-German defence innovation programme to develop the innovations needed for the wars of the future.”