Macron: France ready to deploy nuclear weapons in allied European countries

France will be able to provide its European allies with strategic resources for "deployment depending on circumstances".

As reported by French news channel BFMTV, French President Emmanuel Macron said France could offer European allies strategic assets related to nuclear deterrence for "deployment depending on circumstances".

In this context, he mentioned the United Kingdom – the only other country on the continent possessing nuclear forces – as well as Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.

"Cooperation will begin with joint exercises," Macron explained.

The French president said he was ready to pursue "extended nuclear deterrence" that would include a "European dimension".

However, he stressed that the "final decision will not be shared" and would "always" remain in the hands of the head of state.

Macron also announced an expansion of France's nuclear arsenal.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that a group of European countries had begun discussing options for their own nuclear deterrence, as confidence in the reliability of the United States as an ally has weakened.

At the same time, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby said the US intends to continue providing Europe with a "nuclear umbrella".