Macron Open to Deploying Nuclear Weapons Across Europe

France is open to discussing the deployment of its country's nuclear weapons elsewhere in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.

During an interview with French broadcaster TF1, Macron said the U.S. already had nuclear-armed aircraft in Europe. He added, "We are ready to open this discussion."

Macron said any expansion of France's nuclear deterrence to other European countries would be subject to conditions, including ensuring that the use of the bombs remained solely in the hands of the French president.

"There has always been a European dimension that takes vital interests into account," Macron said.

Why It Matters

According to 2024 figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, France has about 280 nuclear warheads that can be launched from its submarines or jets.

Macron is the leader of the only nuclear-armed country in the European Union, and his comments reflect uncertainty among European countries about the U.S.'s nuclear commitment to the Continent when confronted with the threat posed by Russia.

What To Know

In an interview on French television on Tuesday, Macron said the U.S. had nuclear-armed aircraft in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Turkey and that Paris was open to discussing the same measure.

Any expansion of France's nuclear deterrence to other European countries would be subject to conditions that he would define in the coming weeks and months.

Macron said the EU would not pay for the security of others and that any decision would not come at the expense of its own defense capabilities.

In March, Macron floated the idea of talks with European allies about how French nuclear weapons could protect the Continent, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed the prospect of his country hosting nuclear weapons.

Fellow NATO members Poland, Denmark and Lithuania, which have all expressed alarm at the threat Russia poses, have said in recent months that they are open to such a possibility.

What People Are Saying

French President Emmanuel Macron said on May 13: "The Americans have the bombs on planes in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey. We are ready to open this discussion."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on March 9: "Sharing nuclear weapons is an issue that we need to talk about."

What Happens Next

While Macron has discussed how France's nuclear deterrent can protect Europe, Merz said in a joint press conference with the French president that there was no substitute for the U.S.'s nuclear guarantee for Europe.

Update 5/14/25, 5:07 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.