Germany to Join French Nuclear Deterrence Exercise for First Time

Moscow (ANTARA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed on Friday that Germany will take part in nuclear deterrence exercises organised by France.

“We will join the nuclear exercises of the French armed forces at the end of this year,” Merz wrote on X.

By deepening defence cooperation, Germany and France are “strengthening European deterrence”, the chancellor added.

Citing a German government spokesperson, the television station NTV reported on Thursday (16 July) that Germany would take part in French nuclear deterrence exercises for the first time this autumn.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the country is entering a period of “enhanced nuclear deterrence”.

As part of this new approach, Paris will increase its nuclear warhead stockpile, and European countries will be able to join joint deterrence exercises held by France, he added.

Eight European countries will join France’s new doctrine, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark, Macron said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the current international situation carries the risk of direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, which could rapidly escalate into a mutual nuclear strike.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti