Secret Talks on Expanding U.S. Nukes in Europe—Report
Confidential meetings in Washington could increase the number of countries under its nuclear umbrella, with a number of prospective hosts hoping to be included.
A U.S. soldier fixes a missile on the wing of a F-16 fighter plane at the Aviano air base in Italy, on April 1, 1999.
JOSE MANUEL RIBEIRO / RTR / AFP
Confidential meetings in Washington could increase the number of countries under its nuclear umbrella, with a number of prospective hosts hoping to be included.
The U.S. is weighing up whether to deploy nuclear weapons in NATO member states, adding to its existing European arsenal.
Such policy changes, described in the Financial Times on Tuesday, June 2nd, would complement the current six countries which host U.S. nuclear-capable bombers. The disclosure follows briefings based on highly confidential talks, which would not necessarily lead to any actual nuclear deployments.
These talks come against a backdrop of NATO and European Union concern that the Trump administration is both withdrawing troops and weaponry from Europe and insisting that member states contribute more to the cost of their own defence.
Currently Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UK are approved to host U.S. dual-capable aircraft—which can carry nukes—and “forward-deployed” nuclear bombs. News of the U.S. talks will embolden the leaders of such countries as Poland and the Baltic states, which have expressed an interest in coming under Washington’s nuclear umbrella.
