Netherlands to discuss nuclear cooperation after France offers potential weapons sharing

The Netherlands will engage in talks with France on closer nuclear cooperation, the Dutch government announced Monday.

The discussions follow an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to explore sharing France’s nuclear arsenal with allied countries, including the Netherlands.

Ministers Dilan Yeşilgöz of Defense and Tom Berendsen of Foreign Affairs informed the Tweede Kamer that the French offer “provides the Netherlands with the opportunity to strengthen the European dimension of nuclear deterrence with NATO allies.” They cited rising geopolitical threats, noting that “the war in Ukraine has fundamentally worsened the security situation in Europe.”

The ministers emphasized that any collaboration with France would not replace the U.S. nuclear umbrella. “That remains the foundation of NATO nuclear deterrence, to which the Netherlands also contributes from Volkel Air Base,” they wrote.