Overview

• President Emmanuel Macron has formally proposed discussions on deploying French nuclear-armed aircraft to European countries as part of a broader defense strategy.
• The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, has criticized the move, arguing it would undermine European stability and security.
• Macron's proposal reflects a shift toward explicitly extending France's nuclear deterrence to European partners, moving beyond traditional strategic ambiguity.
• Experts have raised concerns over whether France's stockpile of 290 nuclear warheads is sufficient to sustain an expanded European nuclear umbrella.
• This initiative highlights Europe's growing focus on defense autonomy as U.S. military commitments in the region face increasing uncertainty.