France and UK plan to extend "nuclear umbrella" over Europe
France and the United Kingdom are preparing to offer broader nuclear deterrence protection to their European allies, as Russia's war in Ukraine and uncertainty over US security guarantees push the issue back onto Europe's agenda.
Europe's nuclear deterrence system is undergoing its most significant changes since the end of the Cold War. Russia's war against Ukraine, Moscow's threats to use nuclear weapons, and growing uncertainty surrounding US security guarantees have returned the issue of nuclear deterrence to the agenda of European countries.
Against this backdrop, France and the United Kingdom intend to expand their nuclear deterrence protection by offering broader "nuclear umbrellas" to their European allies. This would mean that the nuclear capabilities of both countries could serve as a deterrence guarantee for a wider circle of European states, not only for France and the UK themselves.
Latvia's public broadcaster LSM has explained what exactly the French and British initiatives involve and what consequences they could have for the Baltic states. The question is particularly relevant for a region that borders Russia and for which security guarantees are of strategic importance.
The shifts in nuclear deterrence point to a broader trend: European countries are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on US nuclear guarantees while maintaining a strong deterrent capability against Russia. The French and British initiatives are seen as part of this process, which is unfolding as Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues and Moscow's rhetoric about potential nuclear weapon use adds further tension to the region.
