Former Federal Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer (Green Party) suggested recently that the collapse of NATO is likely and proposed that Europe establish its own political and defense alliance equipped with an independent nuclear umbrella.
Speaking to newspapers from the Funke Media Group days before the NATO summit in Ankara, Fischer stated that the United States is “factually moving outwards.” He noted that European leaders and the NATO Secretary-General were struggling to keep Donald Trump in check, claiming this was necessary because he saw no other option, despite doubting NATO’s long-term viability.
According to Fischer, the only realistic course of action is the Europeanization of the alliance. He maintained that the European segment of NATO must remain intact, ideally partnering with Canada. Existing operational procedures and mechanisms should be preserved and transferred to this new structure. This proposed European NATO should aim to develop its own protective shield, utilizing assets from France and Britain, as well as the non-nuclear components of the existing alliance. Furthermore, he asserted that when the Americans depart, they will take their protective umbrella with them. In this European setup, he suggested that either the French President or the British Prime Minister should hold the final decision-making authority, similar to the current role of the U.S. President. While acknowledging that funding must be negotiated, Fischer strongly opposed the idea of a national German nuclear shield, calling it “very counterproductive for historical reasons.”
The former foreign minister warned that until now, the presence of the United States had prevented any concerns about the resurgence of aggressive German nationalism. “Without the U.S., that looks different,” he warned, adding that this situation was already causing a loss of public confidence in Germany.
Fischer also criticized the current German government’s communications, particularly the announcement that the Bundeswehr should become Europe’s strongest conventional army. He questioned the necessity of such assertive messaging, insisting that they must take the concerns of neighboring countries seriously. “We need a feeling for our history and how it impacts others,” he stated, concluding that a sensitive form of communication is needed-a quality he felt was currently lacking in the government.
