In the face of the threat of Russian aggression, Germany wants, one way or another, to become a nuclear state.
The head of the CDU/CSU faction in the Bundestag, Jens Spahn, said that France and Great Britain could create a pan-European “nuclear umbrella.” Or Germany could take the lead in creating a new generation of nuclear weapons in Europe.
He said this in an interview with Welt.
In his opinion, in the face of the threat of Russian aggression, Germany must one way or another become a nuclear state – either by deploying nuclear weapons of other European states on its territory, or by creating its own weapons and acquiring the corresponding status.
“Russian aggression is a completely new threat. Europe must become capable of deterrence. For this purpose, American nuclear bombs are stationed in Germany. But in the long term, this will not be enough. We need to talk about German or European participation in the nuclear arsenal of France and Great Britain. Perhaps also about our own participation with other European states,” Spahn noted.
He stressed that such a project would cost a lot of money. But those who want to feel protected should pay for it.
“I know what defensive reflexes immediately awaken, but this: We should debate about an independent European nuclear umbrella. And this will only work with the German leadership. Those who cannot contain nuclear weapons will become pawns in world politics,” the German politician emphasized.
In his opinion, European states are capable of agreeing on joint control over nuclear weapons and a mechanism for making decisions on the possible “pressing of the red button” within the framework of a nuclear alliance.
“France will almost certainly not let us touch its red button, to stick to the metaphor. But there are several ideas for a European nuclear state, even if some of them initially seem too intellectual and theoretical. For example, the idea that responsibility is randomly distributed among the member states. Then even a potential adversary remains in the dark,” Jens Spahn explained.
Let us recall that in February, Germany proposed a new nuclear umbrella for Europe , considering alternatives to the deployment of American nuclear weapons. This issue was actively discussed among German politicians against the backdrop of the changing geopolitical situation.
