WASHINGTON (Realist English). The Trump administration, during confidential consultations with NATO allies, is exploring the possibility of expanding the US nuclear presence on the European continent.
According to a June 2 report by the British newspaper Financial Times, citing three informed sources, official Washington is considering deploying nuclear weapons in additional member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance.
The discussion concerns the deployment of so‑called “dual‑capable aircraft” (DCA), which can carry both conventional and nuclear munitions. At present, US nuclear weapons are already stationed at air bases in six NATO countries – Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Under the “nuclear sharing” programme developed during the Cold War, these states are permitted to store US atomic bombs, but the exclusive right to use them remains with Washington.
According to expert estimates, at least 100 tactical B61‑12 bombs, which have been modernised, are currently deployed in Europe. The new munitions, with yields ranging from 0.3 to 50 kilotons, can be delivered by F‑35A, F‑15E, F‑16 and Tornado fighter jets.
Washington’s goals and motives
The main goal of these talks, according to FT sources, is to demonstrate to allies the solidity of US security guarantees against the backdrop of a reduction in conventional US forces in Europe. In May, the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from the 38,000‑strong contingent in Germany and cancelled a planned rotation of 4,000 soldiers to Poland.
As the publication notes, Washington is seeking to show that the nuclear umbrella remains a key element of transatlantic security, even when European allies are being asked to take on a greater share of the burden in conventional defence. Deputy Pentagon Policy Chief Elbridge Colby has previously stated publicly that the US will continue to use nuclear weapons to protect NATO members.
Eastern flank shows interest
The greatest interest in expanding the programme is being expressed by the alliance’s eastern flank countries – Poland and the Baltic states, whose territories are closest to Russia’s borders.
- Poland has consistently sought the deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory. Former President Andrzej Duda called for the DCA initiative to be extended to Poland. This year, Warsaw joined a new French nuclear initiative that is studying the possibility of temporarily stationing French nuclear forces in European allied countries.
- France, which has just under 300 nuclear warheads, is also taking steps to strengthen European nuclear defence. President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out the possibility of deploying French nuclear weapons in other countries under certain circumstances.
Crisis of trust and Russia’s response
The talks on expanding the nuclear presence come amid a deep crisis of trust within NATO, triggered by the Trump administration’s unilateral decisions. The decision to withdraw troops from Germany and the cancellation of the rotation to Poland were taken without consulting allies, which according to sources has caused a new wave of concern within the Alliance.
Russia, for its part, has repeatedly stated that it finds the approach of NATO military infrastructure to its borders unacceptable. Moscow warns that any change in the nuclear balance in Europe would require adequate military‑technical countermeasures to ensure the security of the Union State.
At the same time, as the Financial Times stresses, no final agreements on expanding the zone of nuclear deployment should be expected in the near future. One source told the publication outright that such an agreement “is not imminent.”
Background and context
It is worth noting that even before the official reports of the talks, US C‑17 military transport aircraft made flights to air bases in Belgium and the Netherlands in April‑May 2026 to deliver unknown cargo, which, according to military experts, could have been new B61‑12 bombs. These modernised bombs are being delivered to Europe to replace obsolete models.
