NATO’s Rutte Backs Macron’s Nuclear Expansion but Emphasizes US ProtectionNATO, France, and the Future of European Nuclear SecurityBy Andrew GrayMacron’s Nuclear Expansion and European DeterrenceBRUSSELS, March 5 (Reuters) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to expand his country's nuclear deterrent but said the U.S. nuclear umbrella would remain the ultimate guarantor of European security. U.S. Nuclear Umbrella as Supreme Guarantor"The ultimate, supreme guarantor of our way of life ... is, in the end, the United States' nuclear umbrella, and that is key," Rutte told Reuters in an interview. French Nuclear Doctrine and European PartnershipsIn his speech at a submarine base, Macron said the rethink of French nuclear doctrine had been done in transparency with Washington, and was complementary to NATO's nuclear mission. Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden could also be expected to take part in French nuclear wargames, Macron said. Under pressure from Washington, NATO's European members have raised their military spending commitments.

Source: The Guardian March 05, 2026 19:07 UTC