According to Weber, it’s now time to bring back that idea of internationalizing the “force de frappe.”
“I would like to see the European dimension of nuclear defense as a long-term goal,” the EPP leader said.”But as long as this is not realistic, we should take up Macron’s offer and think now about how France’s nuclear armament can also be embedded in European structures.”
The other European nuclear power — but outside the EU — is Britain, with fewer than some 260 warheads. “Perhaps, just to make the options clear, we are now at a point where, after the years and decade of Brexit, we should open a constructive dialogue with our British friends,” Weber continued.
“They, too, are having difficulties in ensuring their security. They, too, are running out of money for the two aircraft carriers they have. They are also finding it difficult to maintain their capacities. And in this respect, it is perhaps now also right to start an organized structured dialogue with Great Britain.”
Weber conceded that although the Continent is divided on topics such as Russia and defense, politicians from the centrist parties need to do a better job of mapping out the risks.
“We have to be honest with people,” he argued. “We should not hide the reality of the threat situation in the face of Putin in order to somehow create the feeling that things won’t be so bad.”
Read More: As Trump looms, top EU politician calls for European nuclear deterrent
