A German Future Chancellor Rules Out Nuclear Arms Development and Acquisition, Advocates for Closer Cooperation with France and the UK in Deterrence
In an interview with Deutschlandfunk on Sunday, the future German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, stated that Germany will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons and called for a closer cooperation with France and the UK in deterrence. Merz emphasized that Germany cannot and will not possess nuclear weapons, citing at least two treaties that prohibit it. The most recent one is the 2+4 Treaty of 1990, which explicitly renounces the right to possess nuclear weapons.
The treaty, formally known as the “Agreement on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany” serves as the legal basis for the reunification of West and East Germany and prohibits the stationing of foreign troops, nuclear weapons, or their carriers on the territory of Berlin and the former German Democratic Republic.
Although Merz ruled out the development of nuclear weapons by Germany, he expressed his willingness to explore a greater nuclear cooperation with NATO allies and called for talks with the UK and France. “We must simply become stronger together in nuclear deterrence in Europe” he said.
Last month, Merz had suggested that the UK and France could extend their nuclear protection to Germany and referred to the tensions between Russia and NATO over Ukraine. In response to these statements, French President Emmanuel Macron signalled the opening of a strategic debate on the protection of European allies through nuclear deterrence.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising between European NATO members and the government of US President Donald Trump over Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly insisted that European NATO members should do more for their own defense, rather than relying on the US.
Macron has also pushed EU member states to significantly increase their defense spending, while labeling Russia a “threat.” Moscow has rejected Macron’s statements, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov comparing Macron to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, both of whom, he said, had attempted to defeat Russia and failed.