(MENAFN) Germany should gain access to French and British nuclear arsenals, senior lawmaker Jens Spahn said, suggesting that Berlin could collaborate with Paris and London to modernize their weapons. Spahn, head of the joint CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has become a leading advocate for a Europe-wide nuclear weapons system.

“We… need an ability to deter at the European level… together with the French and the British,” he told FAZ in a Saturday interview, arguing that US nuclear forces stationed in Europe are no longer sufficient.

The former federal health minister emphasized that debate “will only happen if Germany pushes it forward,” proposing that London and Paris retain most control over their arsenals while Germany participates in modernization efforts.

In July, Spahn also highlighted the need “to talk about German or European [access] to the nuclear arsenals of France and Great Britain” due to the “threat” posed by Russia. He warned that nations without nuclear deterrence could “become pawns in global politics.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted that Berlin could develop its own nuclear bomb within months if it chose to. Spahn’s remarks coincide with Germany’s tougher stance toward Russia under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who pledged an extra €5 billion ($5.6 billion) in military aid to Ukraine since taking office in May. Merz also stated last month that Germany is “already in a conflict” with Russia and accused President Vladimir Putin of “destabilizing large parts of our country.”

Moscow dismissed claims of hostile intent toward the West as “nonsense” and fearmongering, criticizing what it calls the West’s “reckless militarization.”

MENAFN08092025000045017281ID1110031113