Chairman of the Defense Committee Thomas Röwekamp (CDU) told the TV channel “Welt” on Thursday that German participation in a potential development of European nuclear weapons is conceivable. He said, “We have no missiles and no warheads, but we already possess a significant technological advantage that could be brought into a joint European initiative-not against the United States, but in coordination with them”. He emphasized that Germany must remain able to defend itself against nuclear threats.
Röwekamp added that Germany will wait to see whether the United States is willing-or agrees-to build additional nuclear deterrence options in Europe. “That would mean working with our European partners on a shared capability” he explained. He firmly ruled out any production of nuclear weapons in Germany or equipping German forces with them. “We are clearly committed to that. We also have to ensure that we can jointly counter a nuclear threat with our partners in Europe”.
Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU) echoed the call for a solution with European allies. He stressed that he would not question the U.S. nuclear umbrella, yet he urged consideration of what would happen if the United States were to withdraw nuclear weapons from Europe, citing a Russian demand for such a withdrawal. “Therefore, it makes sense to think about the Federal Republic of Germany’s involvement in a European solution” he said to RTL and ntv on Thursday. “However, who will implement it and how it will be done should not be discussed publicly”.
Earlier, Brigadier General Frank Pieper told the “Stern” that Germany needs its own tactical nuclear weapons.