Merz rejects idea of German nuclear weapons but does not rule out joining British-French 'umbrella'

He made this statement in an interview with the podcast "Machtwechsel," Ukrinform reports, citing Die Welt.

"I do not want Germany to start thinking about having its own nuclear weapons," he said.

Merz recalled the existence of the Treaty "2+4" on German reunification, which prohibits the country from possessing nuclear weapons.

At the same time, he called it unreasonable to ignore the proposal of French President Emmanuel Macron regarding closer cooperation in the field of nuclear deterrence. According to Merz, Germany's participation in France's "nuclear umbrella" is theoretically possible, and perhaps also in that of the United Kingdom.

"The Bundeswehr has aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. We are capable of transporting them: American nuclear weapons. Now, theoretically, it would be possible to extend this to British and French nuclear weapons as well," Merz explained.

As Ukrinform previously reported, French President Emmanuel Macron said he is opening a debate on protecting allies on the European continent with France's nuclear deterrent forces.