US wants to stuff Europe with nuclear weapons

US officials have expressed willingness to deploy additional nuclear weapons beyond countries where US nuclear-capable bombers are already stationed, the Financial Times reports.

This would potentially allow more countries to host so-called US dual-capable aircraft (DCAs), capable of delivering nuclear strikes.

Two sources said the willingness to discuss expansion was intended to demonstrate US commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella even as NATO allies are being pushed to shoulder more of the conventional defense burden.

These negotiations, which are strictly confidential and may not lead to any changes to nuclear sharing agreements, are taking place amid widespread concern in Europe over US President Donald Trump's moves to withdraw American troops and critical weapons systems from the European continent.

According to these sources, countries on NATO's eastern flank, particularly Poland and some Baltic states, have expressed readiness for such a move.

Discussions are continuing within NATO, one of the sources said, adding that allies located closest to Russia's borders have expressed the greatest interest.

A second source familiar with the negotiations stated that an agreement to expand the deployment of US nuclear weapons will not be concluded in the near future.

The publication recalls that Polish officials have publicly stated their desire to host nuclear weapons.

Former President Andrzej Duda called on the US to extend the DCA initiative to Poland, and this year Warsaw joined a new French initiative aimed at exploring the possibility of temporarily redeploying part of the nuclear deterrent potential to European allies for the first time.

NATO's Nuclear Weapons Sharing Program includes allies—Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UK—that have been authorized to host US nuclear weapons and "advanced" nuclear bombs under the DCA. These weapons are protected by the US, with Washington retaining the exclusive right to use them.

US nuclear weapons deployed in European countries are stored and guarded by US forces.

Photo: Glavcom.