After the Munich Safety Conference The leader of German Christian Democrats and probably the future chancellor Friedrich Merz He stated that he had to be prepared for the fact that “Donald Trump would no longer honor the promise of support without restrictions contained in the NATO Treaty.” For Europeans, this means that they must “become more independent nuclear”. According to the daily “Sueddeutsche Zeitung” (sz), these are controversial words in the mouth of someone who is to become the Chancellor of Germany.
Germany does not have nuclear weapons
“If Merz speaks seriously, it would mean fundamental change in the most sensitive area of German defense policy“ – Daniel Broessler and Sina-Maria Schweikle journalists write. Unlike France and Great Britain, Germany does not have nuclear weapons and rely on the USA in the scope of nuclear deterrence. However, they are involved in NUCLEAR SHARING (NUCLEAR SHARING). Bundeswehr provides infrastructure and staff that could be used to arrange American nuclear weapons on accident attack. However, the decision on the use of this weapon belongs only to USA. “The American president would keep his hand on the nuclear button. Would Trump be ready to use nuclear weapons to protect European NATO countries?” – the German newspaper wonders.
Preparation to change the course
“It seems that nothing is certain since Trump's return to the White House. He packs with Russia in the Security Council onZ and apparently wants to impose a peace dictate. Unlike his first term, Trump has not yet threatened to withdraw from NATO, but already shook the foundations of the transatlantic community ” – we read.” SZ “reminds that the departing chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the offer of French President Emmanuel Macronto talk about closer European cooperation in the field of nuclear deterrence. Merz, who met Macron in Paris this week, “seems to be preparing a change of course”.
“However, the Europeanization of the French national nuclear deterrence system is considered very complex. Negotiations between Germany and France would have to start secret. There will probably also be controversy in a coalition, which is only to be created from SPD, “writes” Sueddeutsche Zeitung “.
According to journal German Social Democrats are surprised by this, How openly mez talks about matters related to nuclear weapons. – Particular caution is required in this area. Credibility is crucial for nuclear scares. It should not be exposed to it – SPD Nils Schmid's politician told Gazeta. He added that Trump “so far did not give a reason to doubt the nuclear umbrella.”
“Time to accept Macron's offer”
In turn, an expert from the Bundehry University in Munich Frank Sauer warns that scenario of losing a nuclear umbrella over Europe It is “likely enough to be very disturbing.” In his opinion, it's time to accept the Macron's offer regarding “strategic dialogue” on your own nuclear umbrella.
According to “Sueddeutsche Zeitung” in Berlin there are doubts, whether the possible loss of the US nuclear umbrella can be compensated enough. It is estimated that British nuclear arsenal It consists of 225 nuclear warheads, and French with 290. For reliable deterrence, “huge nuclear reinforcements in Europe would be necessary,” says Frank Sauer in an interview with “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”. In turn, SPD politician Nils Schmid indicates political threats. – In France, Le Pen stands at the gates of the Elysee Palace. We have to ask ourselves questionor would we replace one uncertainty another – he says.
According to the newspaper, the government of Olaf Scholz “did everything in his power to keep the nuclear weapon sharing model.” Ordered 35 ultra-modern American f-35 fighters, adapted to carry nuclear bombsthat would replace the Bundeswehry Tornado age planes at the aviation base in Buechel, Rhineland-Palatinate. “These expensive new acquisitions would be useless for a nuclear umbrella led by France,” writes “SZ”. And quotes the January statement of the German defense minister Boris Pistorius: “American nuclear shield It is and will remain necessary for Euro -Atlantic security. I assume that the new American administration is also aware of this. “
The article comes from the website Deutsche Welle.