France and Germany announced a joint initiative to strengthen cooperation in military deterrence, citing changing security conditions.

• President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized in a joint statement that the move responds to new global challenges.

• The core idea is the creation of a high-level nuclear steering group, serving as a bilateral framework for defense policy and strategic coordination.

• The group will discuss the balance between conventional capabilities, missile defense, and French nuclear assets.

• Planned measures include Germany’s participation in French nuclear exercises, joint visits to strategic facilities, and further development of conventional capabilities with European partners.

• Both leaders stressed that this cooperation is meant to complement, not replace, NATO’s nuclear deterrence and Germany’s nuclear sharing role.

Sources – Agencies