Overview

• President Trump's dismissal of Ukraine's President Zelensky and critical comments on NATO have shaken Europe's trust in U.S. security commitments.
• European leaders, including Germany's Friedrich Merz and France's Emmanuel Macron, are calling for discussions on a joint nuclear defense strategy to reduce reliance on U.S. protection.
• France and the U.K., the only European nuclear powers, face challenges in adapting their national nuclear doctrines for broader European defense needs.
• Experts highlight the limited capabilities of European nuclear arsenals compared to Russia and the logistical and political hurdles of establishing a shared nuclear deterrent.
• The uncertainty surrounding U.S. military presence in Europe and Trump's focus on domestic and non-European priorities has raised concerns about long-term transatlantic relations.