Even Norway, Long Dependent on the United States, Joins France's Nuclear Umbrella as Europe Moves Toward Independent Defense

[Financial News] Norway joined a France-led European nuclear deterrence cooperation initiative on the 27th local time.
According to British media reports, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told news agency NTB that the move was made "in light of the security situation in Europe, where Russia is carrying out a massive military buildup, including in the nuclear domain, and waging full-scale war against another European country." He added, "No nuclear weapons will be deployed in Norway in peacetime."
Støre made the remarks before leaving for Paris on the afternoon of the same day to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. During his visit, he is expected to sign a new defense agreement between the two countries, including participation in the France-led nuclear weapons initiative.
With a population of about 5.6 million, Norway is not a member of the European Union (EU) but belongs to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and shares a border with Russia in the Arctic region. Western intelligence agencies have warned that Svalbard, located midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, could be a target for Russian ambitions because of Moscow's long-standing influence there and the growing geopolitical value of the Arctic.
In this context, Norway's entry into France's nuclear umbrella means that France could respond with nuclear weapons if Norway were attacked. British media noted that this is highly significant for Norway, a classic Atlanticist country that has long believed the best way to secure its safety is through close cooperation with the United States.
As rifts in the Atlantic alliance have widened since the second Trump administration, European countries have grown increasingly doubtful about how much the United States would contribute to Europe's security in a crisis. As Washington signaled a retreat from European security, France proposed in March to expand its nuclear umbrella to European allies. In this regard, British media pointed out that after Poland and the Republic of Lithuania, both of which border Russia, Norway is now also coming under French protection. Beyond those countries, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden are also said to be involved in discussions over the France-led nuclear umbrella.
whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chaewan Reporter