As he emphasized, the talks are only in the initial phase, while in Germany the development of its own nuclear defense is being discussed more and more often.
“We know that we have to make a number of strategic and military-political decisions, but the time is not ripe right now,” Merz told reporters on Thursday, according to Reuters.
Germany currently has no right to develop its own nuclear weapons under the 1990 Four Plus Two agreement, which paved the way for the country’s reunification, and under the 1969 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Merz clarified that treaty obligations do not prevent Germany from discussing joint solutions with partners, including Great Britain and France, the only European powers with nuclear arsenals:
“These talks are taking place. They are also not in conflict with sharing nuclear weapons with the United States of America.”
European states have relied on the US nuclear arsenal for their defense for decades, but military spending has increased, partly due to criticism from the US administration. Trump has unsettled allies with threats of tariffs and the issue of the acquisition of Greenland, and has suggested in the past that the US may not protect countries that do not invest enough in their defense.
Chancellor Merz’s comments were echoed by the head of the parliamentary defense committee, Thomas Roewekamp, who highlighted Germany’s technical capabilities:
“We don’t have missiles or warheads, but we have a significant technological advantage that we could contribute to a joint European initiative,” Roewekamp told Germany’s Welt television.
(Vijesti.ba)
