Ischinger Calls for Greater European Participation in NATO’s Nuclear Umbrella and Envisions Germany as Mediator

Germany as Mediator in Expanding the Nuclear Umbrella 

1.02.2026 

Does Europe need a more autonomous nuclear deterrent?

Against the backdrop of tensions in transatlantic relations, Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference and Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Agora Strategy Group AG, calls for a stronger European role within NATO.

He argues that it would signal European resolve vis-à-vis Russia and China if France and the United Kingdom were to more fully integrate their nuclear forces into the transatlantic alliance’s nuclear umbrella. At present, this umbrella relies primarily on the United States, which is estimated to station around 100 nuclear weapons in Europe. At the same time, Ischinger stresses that any European initiative must complement – not replace – the American deterrent.

To avoid misunderstandings in Washington, he proposes that Germany serve as a “bridge-builder.” He also criticizes former Chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz for missing what he sees as a key opportunity: in 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron invited Germany and other EU partners to engage in discussions on European cooperation in nuclear deterrence. According to Ischinger, neither chancellor seriously pursued the offer. By contrast, Chancellor Friedrich Merz accepted the proposal upon taking office, a move Ischinger explicitly welcomes. Ischinger now advocates confidential German-French and broader European consultations on the issue.

Find the full artikel at: Ischinger: Deutschland als "Brückenbauer" bei Atomschirm