The leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, Jens Spahn, has advocated for financial support for the nuclear arsenals of France and the United Kingdom, contingent on a potential agreement with the German government mirroring the existing nuclear participation arrangement with the United States.
Speaking to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS), Spahn clarified that a truly “equal participation” with nuclear powers France and the United Kingdom would be unrealistic, noting that the US model itself does not offer such parity. He emphasized that “the red button is in Washington.
Regarding whether a similar arrangement with France or the United Kingdom could sufficiently protect Germany, Spahn stated affirmatively, adding that concurrent modernization and expansion of these arsenals would be essential. He expressed gratitude for the current US security umbrella over Europe.
Spahn further argued that Europe requires its own credible deterrent capability, potentially through collaboration with France or the United Kingdom. He believes that Germany needs to proactively drive the necessary debate within Europe to achieve this.
When questioned about the deployment of German peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, Spahn offered a nuanced response. He recounted that Ukrainian officials stressed during his recent visit that their “best security guarantee is their own army”. They prioritized “best possible arming” and sustained support for a standing army of 800,000 personnel over immediate requests for troops.
Addressing the possibility of Germany militarily securing a peace agreement in Ukraine, Spahn concluded that this would depend on a willingness from Putin to negotiate a settlement, stating that “peace is unfortunately far away” and that Putin remains committed to pursuing the war.
