Sweden Confirms Talks With UK and France on Nuclear Protection
The move reflects Sweden’s search for European nuclear reassurance given doubts about US reliability.
Overview
- Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Stockholm is in early discussions with the United Kingdom and France about coverage under their nuclear deterrents.
- He said Sweden sees no need to host nuclear weapons in peacetime, consistent with earlier statements that hosting would be considered only in wartime.
- A UK government spokesperson confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the proposal with Kristersson.
- Reporting characterizes the talks as exploratory with no concrete proposals, and notes practical limits that would keep any French role under French control rather than traditional nuclear sharing.
- A Russian military expert condemned the discussions and warned of potential escalation, outlining scenarios presented as his own projections rather than announced plans.