US in talks to expand nuclear weapons deployments in Europe

{"text":[[{"start":9.15,"text":"The US is discussing whether to deploy nuclear weapons in additional European Nato states, in a move intended to reassure allies that reduced conventional military support does not weaken security guarantees."}],[{"start":21.4,"text":"US officials have signalled openness to additional deployments beyond the existing six countries hosting nuclear-capable bombers, three people briefed on the discussions told the FT."}],[{"start":32.099999999999994,"text":"The talks, which are highly confidential and may not lead to any changes in nuclear-sharing arrangements, come amid widespread concern in Europe over Donald Trump’s moves to remove US troops and critical weapons systems from the continent."}],[{"start":45.8,"text":"It would potentially allow more countries to host so-called US dual-capable aircraft (DCA), which are able to deliver nuclear strikes. Two of the people said the openness to discussing an expansion was intended to show the US commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella even as Nato allies were pushed to shoulder more of the conventional defence burden."}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":67,"text":"Countries on Nato’s eastern flank including Poland and some Baltic states were interested in potentially hosting DCA bases, the people said. "}],[{"start":75.9,"text":"Polish officials have in particular spoken publicly about a desire to host nuclear weapons. Former president Andrzej Duda called for the US to expand the DCA initiative to its soil, while Warsaw this year joined a new French initiative to explore the potential of temporarily moving parts of its nuclear deterrent to allied European countries for the first time."}],[{"start":98.10000000000001,"text":"Discussions were ongoing in Nato channels, said one person familiar with the discussions, adding that allies closest to Russia’s borders had shown the most interest. "}],[{"start":107.45,"text":"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and repeated remarks by President Vladimir Putin about the Kremlin’s nuclear capabilities had catalysed interest among some allies in playing host to DCA, they added. "}],[{"start":118.9,"text":"A second person familiar with the discussions said that an agreement to expand US nuclear hosting was not imminent. "}],[{"start":126.45,"text":"Nato’s nuclear sharing programme involves allies — currently Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the UK — approved to host US DCA and “forward-deployed” nuclear bombs. These are under US protection, with Washington retaining sole authorisation for their use."}],[{"start":143.5,"text":"Drawn up during the cold war, Nato says the arrangement “provide[s] a platform to non-nuclear Nato Allies to shape the Alliance’s nuclear policy and planning as a mean[s] to guarantee their security without acquiring nuclear weapons”."}],[{"start":157.1,"text":"US nuclear weapons deployed to European states are stored and guarded by US troops. Allied nations’ assigned air groups, using F-35, F-15 and Tornado jets, are trained to participate in exercises and missions to demonstrate force posture, and ultimately deploy the bombs when authorised by the US."}],[{"start":176.29999999999998,"text":"Recent moves by the Trump administration to cancel planned deployments of key weapons systems to Europe and announce troop withdrawals as part of a move to shift more military assets to Asia and other regions have startled some Nato allies. They fear it will leave gaps in the continent’s defences and ability to deter or repel any attack."}],[{"start":198.24999999999997,"text":"While European allies have committed to drastically increasing their defence spending and investments in key conventional military capabilities currently provided to them by the US, the nuclear umbrella is considered irreplaceable."}],[{"start":212.44999999999996,"text":"Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said after a meeting of alliance foreign ministers last month that there was a “common understanding that whilst the US will pivot more towards other theatres . . . the overall deterrence and defence in Europe has to stay the same”."}],[{"start":227.84999999999997,"text":"“Let me be crystal clear . . . Were anyone to be foolish as to attack us, the response would be devastating,” Rutte said."}],[{"start":237.04999999999995,"text":"Additional reporting by Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington and Richard Milne in Oslo"}],[{"start":250.09999999999997,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1780384175_1705.mp3"}