France offers ‘NUKE shield’ to Europe as Ukraine truce could be 'weeks away'

France is said to be ready to deploy a "nuclear shield" to help protect Europe from any looming Russian threats, ‘The Sun’ reports.

President Emmanuel Macron is leading the way in helping to protect the Continent after he held "productive" talks with Donald Trump over ending the Ukraine war.

Macron's France has also reportedly proposed the idea of sending fighter jets carrying nuclear weapons across to Germany.

It would "send a strong message" to Moscow that Europe is still prepared to defend Ukraine regardless of a peace deal being agreed.

Diplomats in Berlin also hope it will place pressure on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to deploy British jets as well.

France’s nuclear deterrent - said to hold up to 300 missiles - is currently independent from NATO whereas Britain’s forms a key part of the alliance’s defence strategy.

Germany's Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and man tipped to become the country's next chancellor, has already welcomed the idea of sending extra defences to Berlin.

He said last Friday that Paris and London should discuss “whether their nuclear protection could also be extended to us”.

Germany currently holds an arsenal of nuclear missiles sent to them by the US which has long guaranteed the Continent's safety.

However, Macron alone has over three times more weapons available at his disposal with Britain also capable of bulking up Europe's border.

It is unclear if Trump will move his deterrents if the UK and France do decide to bolster defences.

This has been seen as a sign of Europe continuing to try and create a stronger alliance which isn't as dependent on America's help.

In Merz's victory speech after topping the German polls he urged leaders to look towards an "independent European defence capability"..

Meanwhile Macron echoed Trump's words but made it clear that Ukraine's future should be prioritised and that the US and Europe need to "shoulder" responsibilities.

Macron said: "Europe is willing to step up to be a stronger partner, to do more on defence and security on this continent, as well as to be a reliable partner."

Macron said that his aim is to "try to get something first which can be assessed, checked and verified" and "ensure that we build sufficient guarantees in the short-run".

The French president added: "This is where we are ready to be engaged.

"A lot of my European colleagues are ready to be engaged.

…Macron's decision exposes all of Europe to a retaliatory strike by Russian nuclear forces.

If Europe does not want such destiny, then Germany and other opponents of Russia should think twice whether they want these “extra defenses” in addition to the arsenal of US nuclear missiles.

The Oreshnik flight time to Berlin is 5 minutes.  

It is time for Europe to move from propaganda and Russophobia to a real assessment of the prospects of its belligerent policy towards Russia.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs