Norway is set to join France’s nuclear umbrella due to the threat from Russia

This was stated by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, according to Reuters.

On 27 May, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

During the meeting, the two countries signed a defence agreement providing for Norway’s participation in the French nuclear deterrence initiative. The aim is to strengthen European defence cooperation in the face of growing threats in the region.

Stere stated that Norway is taking this step in view of the security situation in Europe, Russia’s large-scale rearmament and its full-scale war against another European country.

According to the Norwegian Prime Minister, NATO and the US remain the main guarantors of Norway’s security, but France’s nuclear capabilities are an important contribution to the Alliance’s overall deterrence system.

Will nuclear weapons be deployed in Norway?

Norway is not changing its basic policy on nuclear weapons.

Stere emphasised that nuclear weapons will not be deployed on Norwegian territory in peacetime. Furthermore, according to Xinhua, he stated that Norway will not fund the French nuclear programme.

In fact, this is not about the deployment of French warheads in Norway, but about participation in a broader European nuclear deterrence system led by France.

Who else is joining the initiative

Alongside Norway, other European countries have joined the French initiative or expressed an interest, including the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Greece.

In the event of an attack on such countries, one possible response could be the use of French nuclear deterrence. Final control over nuclear weapons would remain with France.

Reuters previously reported that Macron had announced his intention to strengthen France’s nuclear arsenal and involve European partners in the deterrence strategy. According to the agency, France has around 290 nuclear warheads.

Why is Europe talking about its own deterrence?

The debate over a European nuclear umbrella has intensified due to doubts in some European capitals about the long-term reliability of US security guarantees.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, France remains the only nuclear power within the European Union. At the same time, the UK also possesses its own nuclear arsenal and is involved in broader European security discussions.

For Norway, the issue is particularly sensitive: the country is a member of NATO, is not part of the EU, and shares a border with Russia in the Arctic. This is precisely why increased Russian military activity has become one of the arguments in favour of deeper defence cooperation with France.

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