French Nuclear Deterrence: Latvia Says Macron Agreed to Open Talks

Latvia has announced that French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to open discussions on extending elements of France's nuclear deterrence to European nations willing to participate.

The move follows an initiative Macron first announced in March, under which France proposed an "advanced" deterrence framework intended to involve European states that wished to take part.

Under the proposal, France would not share its decision-making authority over the use of nuclear weapons, a distinction officials have stressed as discussions about the initiative have developed.

The announcement from Latvia signals movement toward formal talks on how such a framework might function in practice, though further details on the scope, timeline or specific countries expected to participate were not disclosed.

The initiative reflects broader discussions within Europe about strengthening collective defense arrangements amid ongoing security concerns on the continent, including the war in Ukraine.

France remains the only European Union member state with an independent nuclear deterrent following the United Kingdom's departure from the bloc.