France fears that Germany's long-range attacks on targets in the Russian Federation could provoke a nuclear response from Moscow and drag Europe into a nuclear war. Paris demands from Berlin clear rules for the use of such weapons, writes the FT, referring to six interlocutors familiar with the negotiations.
French and German officials complement the use of long-range missiles with France's nuclear doctrine. Paris fears that a regular attack on a Russian target could provoke a nuclear response from Moscow. "You can attack a Russian target with conventional weapons, but get a nuclear response," the French official warned.
Germany is developing missiles with a range of 500 km to more than 2,000 km. Britain, Poland, the Baltic states and Scandinavia are building similar arsenals to deter the Russian Federation. By the end of 2030, Berlin plans to spend 780 billion euros on defense.
In France, they fear that due to the concept of "progressive deterrence" Moscow will see Paris as responsible for the attacks of its European partners. Therefore, Paris wants to agree with Berlin on common rules to avoid misinterpretation of signals by the Kremlin: France has its own "nuclear grammar", but Germany does not.
Berlin supports common rules for the use of long-range weapons. One possibility is a joint declaration by Germany, France and Britain. In London they make it clear: the targets for such attacks are military facilities, command centers, logistics and weapons plants, not government buildings or nuclear facilities.
NATO commander Ingo Gerharts emphasizes that the decision on such attacks must be coordinated with the allies, because Moscow can perceive the actions of one country as an operation of the entire alliance.