UK and France form first-ever nuclear deterrent pact to fend off threats to Europe

The UK and France agreed Thursday to form a nuclear deterrent pact to fend off “extreme” threats to the continent in the face of Russian aggression and fears that the US will begin to pull military support under President Trump.

“As Europe’s two nuclear powers and leading militaries, we share responsibility for the continent’s defense and security,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.

“From today, our adversaries will know that any extreme threat to this continent would prompt a response from our two nations.”

“We are united in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the immediate and pressing threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security,” a declaration from the leaders read.

The declaration will see France leave its independent position on nuclear weapons and join the UK as one of the main components of NATO’s atomic defense strategy.

The new pact, signed by Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, says that the nations’ nuclear stockpiles will “remain independent but can be coordinated and that there is no extreme threat to Europe that would not prompt a response by both nations.”

Britain has around 225 nuclear warheads, a little less than the 290 France is believed to have, according to the Arms Control Association, which monitors nations’ atomic stockpiles.

The US has maintained around 100 nuclear missiles in the continent, the majority of which are stashed in American military bases in Germany.

Together, Europe would still have about a tenth of Moscow’s arsenal, with Russia holding more than 6,000 nukes, the largest atomic weapons stockpile in the world.

Europe has long been reliant on the US for nuclear protection, but Trump’s recent calls for Europe to be ready to defend itself without the full backing in America has triggered worries that the continent would not be ready in the face of another Russian invasion.

Starmer and Macron, who have held a series of meetings this week ahead of the announcement, have been struggling to lead their so-called “Coalition of the Willing” to back Ukraine’s defense.

The new pact will see the UK and France become more active in their joint military partnership, with the nations agreeing to establish new air defense systems, as well as developing next generation long-distance weapons.

“We are committed to redoubling our collaboration to ensure the Euro-Atlantic security architecture remains fit for purpose, with European allies both shouldering their existing obligations and fully involved in shaping any new arrangements,” Starmer’s office said.

The move comes after German chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Britain and France to serve as Europe’s main defender against nuclear weapons.

With Post wires