France demanded from Germany clear rules for the use of long-range missiles developed with a range between 500 and 2,000 kilometers. Paris fears that the uncertainty surrounding scenarios for the use of new weapons will increase the risk of a nuclear response from Russia.
The French side insists on a public doctrine within the European Union. It must describe the conditions for the use of long-range weapons so that Moscow does not misinterpret the possible actions of European countries. For Paris, the clarity of the rules is an element of managing the risk of escalation, rather than limiting the technical capabilities of the weapon.
Germany, according to the stated position of its authorities, shares the need for a coordinated European strategy and an understanding of escalation scenarios. Uniform conditions of use have not yet been established. The dispute itself shows the vulnerability of joint military planning: creating a long-term system requires no less clarity on the question of who has the right to give orders and under what circumstances.