- WIADOMOŚCI
Is Sweden going nuclear? Talks with UK and France
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has revealed that his country is in preliminary talks with France and the UK about possible cooperation in the field of nuclear weapons. This is a significant change in Swedish security policy following its entry into NATO and amid growing uncertainty about the long-term commitment of the United States to the defense of Europe.
According to the Breaking Defense website, the Swedish prime minister said that discussions with Paris and London are at a very early stage and “are not yet precise.” Kristersson also noted that French nuclear weapons remain “uniquely French,” although France has publicly signaled its openness to talks with other European partners.
Prime Minister Kristersson’s statement comes at a time when there is growing debate in Europe about strengthening its own nuclear deterrent, independent of the US. The new US security and defense strategies, which call for a reduction in US involvement in Europe and a focus on greater European independence, mean that the discussion about European countries« own nuclear capabilities will resurface.
See also
The prime minister also clearly stated that there is currently no need to deploy nuclear weapons on Swedish territory in peacetime, just as there is no need for a permanent foreign military presence. For now, there are no specific agreements, timetables, or joint technical projects. Discussions remain at the strategic and political level. However, Sweden’s willingness to participate in such discussions is an important signal that NATO’s northeastern flank countries are taking the European pillar of nuclear deterrence more and more seriously, regardless of the future of US involvement.
