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France warns Germany its missile programme ‘could accidentally provoke nuclear war with Russia’
The Independent • • world
Key Points:
- France has warned Germany that unclear plans for the use of its new long-range missiles could inadvertently trigger a nuclear conflict with Russia, emphasizing the risks of misinterpreted signals in potential strikes.
- Germany is acquiring ground-range missiles with ranges from 500km to over 2,000km as part of broader European efforts, including the UK and Poland, to strengthen defenses against possible Russian aggression.
- French and German officials are engaging in talks to establish a clear, joint doctrine on missile use and escalation to prevent misunderstandings that could escalate to nuclear responses, with France concerned about the implications for its own "forward deterrence" policy.
- While German officials agree on the need for a unified European approach to escalation management, some British officials believe current fears may be overstated and view Germany’s evolving strategic culture positively.
- The discussions come amid reports that Germany is considering funding the UK’s Trident nuclear program to enhance Europe’s collective deterrent against Russia.
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