French President Emmanuel Macron’s long-standing push to discuss France’s nuclear deterrent as a safeguard for Europe is finally gaining traction.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed openness to the idea during a European leaders' summit in Brussels on Thursday.
“The French proposal is not new. This topic has come up in conversations with me several times,” Tusk said. “This is something worth considering.”
As the European Union’s only nuclear power and one of three NATO nuclear states alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, France has historically faced resistance to its nuclear defense initiatives from European allies. Many capitals have relied on Washington’s deterrent and saw little need for an alternative.
However, shifting geopolitical dynamics—particularly concerns over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s alignment with Russia and threats to withdraw American troops from Europe—have prompted a reassessment of defense strategies. Even traditionally U.S.-aligned nations like Poland and Denmark are reconsidering their stance.
When asked whether Denmark would consider hosting nuclear weapons, Frederiksen responded, “It’s not something we are working on, but you won’t get me to stand here and say no to others’ ideas. Everything has to be on the table now.”
Despite these discussions, Macron has yet to make a formal proposal to station French nuclear weapons in other European countries.
Germany, too, is reassessing its nuclear security policies. Last month, Friedrich Merz, the likely next German chancellor, signaled a willingness to engage in talks with France and the U.K. about extending nuclear protection to Germany, suggesting that nuclear sharing or security could involve more than just the U.S.
With European defense policy in flux, Macron’s nuclear proposal is now receiving serious consideration for the first time. Photo by French Army, Wikimedia commons.