Former German Foreign Minister: EU needs its own nuclear weapons
(Baonghean.vn)- Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer argued that the European Union (EU) needs to possess its own nuclear arsenal to better deter Russia. The now-retired official also warned that the EU needs to stand firm if its relationship with the US cools.
Last month, Czech President Petr Pavel said NATO viewed Moscow as its biggest threat as the US-led military bloc prepared for a major conflict. Top Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have repeatedly stressed that they view NATO's eastward expansion as an infringement on Russia's security.
Former German Foreign Minister Fischer stressed in an interview with Die Zeit published on Sunday that “we must restore our deterrence” against Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He also asserted that Europe cannot allow Russia to gain the upper hand in Ukraine, as the current conflict is of “critical importance” for the future of the continent.
Mr. Fischer, who served as Germany's foreign minister and vice chancellor from 1998 to 2005, also played a key role in founding Germany's Green Party. In 1999, as Germany's top diplomat and Green Party leader, he supported NATO's bombing campaign in Yugoslavia. In 2011, he supported German military intervention in Afghanistan.
Asked by Die Zeit whether he thought Germany should acquire nuclear weapons, the former politician said that it would be the EU's decision. He said that the French and British nuclear arsenals were no longer enough to guarantee European security. When the interviewer reminded Fischer that he and his party were strongly opposed to nuclear weapons in the 1980s, the former German foreign minister said that "the world has changed" since then. He went on to note that while he hoped US-EU relations would remain as close as they are now, this could change, for example, if former President Donald Trump is re-elected next year.
Mr Fischer said that in addition to nuclear deterrence, Europe should pay special attention to strengthening its air defense capabilities. Speaking late last month, Czech President Pavel, who served as chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, said that “all armies are preparing for the possibility of a high-intensity conflict” in Europe. Speaking late last month, Czech President Pavel, who served as chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, said that “all armies are preparing for the possibility of a high-intensity conflict” in Europe.
Russian officials have repeatedly stated that the country has no plans to attack NATO. However, at the same time, Moscow has for many years considered NATO's growing expansion toward its borders a major threat. President Putin cited one of the main reasons for launching a military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 as the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO./.
