Merz-Macron talks revive European nuclear shield

MUNICH – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he has begun talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on a joint European nuclear deterrent as he opened the Munich Security Conference and called for rebuilding ties with the United States, according to Reuters and RTL Today.

Merz said the effort would build a strong, self-supporting European pillar inside NATO rather than replace the alliance, arguing Europe must shoulder more responsibility while staying anchored to transatlantic security, Reuters reported and RTL Today noted.

Repairing transatlantic trust

In his opening address, Merz said a deep rift has opened with Washington and appealed for a new transatlantic partnership, comments delivered with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance, RTL Today reported and Reuters said.

The confidential nuclear talks underscore Europe’s concern about U.S. commitments and the push to plan for greater strategic autonomy, a theme also reflected in BBC reporting on the conference and in Al Jazeera coverage of strained U.S.-Europe ties.

Munich agenda and pressure points

Macron, Rubio and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among the leaders scheduled to speak in Munich, with the war in Ukraine and the transatlantic relationship high on the agenda, according to Al Jazeera and the BBC.

Merz warned the old world order is fading and urged Europe to use current pressure to forge something new, while emphasizing security and competitiveness, as summarized by DW; the BBC likewise described the moment as a defining shift in geopolitics.

Europe’s defense push

Merz outlined steps to strengthen European defense capabilities and infrastructure resilience, DW reported, and Reuters noted his call for a stronger European pillar within NATO.

He also said Europe must be prepared for change and sacrifice in an era of great-power rivalry, RTL Today reported, a sentiment Al Jazeera said is driving debate about how Europe shares the security burden with the United States.

The talks with Macron remain confidential and are expected to continue alongside NATO consultations, with Merz signaling more details as the conference continues, according to Reuters and the BBC.

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