Germany Explores Shared Nuclear Shield with European Allies

Germany is examining the idea of a shared nuclear umbrella with European allies as part of broader discussions on strengthening European security, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday, amid uncertainty over long-term U.S. commitments to Europe.

Speaking in Berlin, Merz said the talks were at an early stage and stressed that any European initiative would be designed to complement NATO rather than replace the transatlantic alliance. He added that Germany remained committed to NATO’s collective defence framework and to cooperation with the United States.

Germany is legally prohibited from developing or possessing nuclear weapons under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the 1990 “Two Plus Four” agreement that paved the way for reunification.

• Germany explores shared nuclear shield with European allies
• Merz says nuclear talks aim to strengthen Europe within NATO
• Europe weighs nuclear deterrence amid U.S. security uncertainty

Merz said these restrictions ruled out a national nuclear capability but did not prevent Germany from participating in joint defence arrangements with nuclear-armed European partners.

The comments come as European governments reassess their security posture following repeated statements by U.S. President Donald Trump questioning NATO’s mutual defence guarantees and urging allies to raise defence spending. Trump’s remarks have revived long-standing concerns in Europe about reliance on U.S. security guarantees.

Merz said Germany was seeking closer coordination with its European partners to ensure credible deterrence, particularly in light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and broader geopolitical instability on Europe’s eastern flank. He did not provide details on how a shared nuclear umbrella would work or what form Germany’s role might take.

Thomas Roewekamp, head of Germany’s parliamentary defence committee, said Germany could contribute technological expertise and operational support to a European nuclear deterrence framework, even though it does not possess nuclear warheads or delivery systems.

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Analysts say any move toward a shared European nuclear umbrella would face legal, political and strategic hurdles, including questions over command structures, decision-making authority and public acceptance. For now, German officials describe the discussions as exploratory, reflecting Europe’s search for greater security autonomy in a changing geopolitical environment.