Thomas Röwekamp, chair of the Bundestag’s Defence Committee, said that Germany’s participation in a future European nuclear‑weapon programme could be conceivable. He told the TV station Welt on Thursday that Germany “does not yet possess missiles or warheads, but it does have a significant technological advantage that could be channeled into a joint European initiative-not against the United States, but in coordination with them”. Röwekamp stressed that any such development must still guarantee Germany’s own ability to defend against nuclear threats.
He added that Germany has to wait and see whether the United States “expects or consents to Europe creating additional deterrence options”. If the U.S. were on board, this would mean working with European partners to build a shared capability. Röwekamp was clear that Germany will not produce nuclear weapons or equip its forces with them. “We have committed firmly to that” he said, but noted that Germany must still be able to defend against nuclear threats together with allies.
Roderich Kiesewetter, also a member of the CDU, endorsed a solution in cooperation with European allies. Speaking to RTL and ntv on the same day, he said he does not challenge the U.S. nuclear umbrella, but he worries about what would happen if the U.S. were to yield to Russia’s demand that nuclear weapons be withdrawn from Europe. “It makes sense to consider Germany’s participation in a European solution” he added. “Who can do this and how we do it should not be debated publicly”.
Earlier, Brigadier General Frank Pieper had told the newspaper Stern that Germany needs its own tactical nuclear weapons.
