France offers Germany fighter jets with nuclear weapons to protect Europe from Putin

France has offered to deploy fighter jets carrying nuclear weapons to Germany in a move intended to strengthen Europe’s defence against Russia as fears grow over the US commitment to the continent’s security.

The apparent proposal - which would inevitably raise about the UK’s willingness to do the same - comes as Washington signals it may withdraw its forces from Europe, raising concerns about the future of NATO’s nuclear umbrella.

The offer is also seen as a direct response to Friedrich Merz, the likely next German Chancellor, who has called for Britain and France to extend their nuclear protection to Germany.

Mr Merz, whose CDU party won the German elections on Sunday, has stressed the need for Europe to become more independent from the United States under Donald Trump.

A French official told The Telegraph that deploying nuclear-capable jets would send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Diplomats in Berlin also believe the move would pressure Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to consider a similar commitment to European security.

The insider said: “Posting a few French nuclear jet fighters in Germany should not be difficult and would send a strong message."

French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the issue with Mr Merz on Sunday night before flying to Washington to meet Mr Trump.

At the White House summit, which took place on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Mr Trump suggested the US would not guarantee security for Ukraine once a peace deal was reached.

Speaking alongside the US President, Mr Macron insisted any peace agreement “must not be a surrender of Ukraine” and urged European nations to take more responsibility for their own defence.

Meanwhile, tensions flared at the United Nations as the US voted alongside Russia against a resolution condemning Putin’s war in Ukraine and calling for Russian troops to withdraw. The vote highlighted growing divisions between Washington and its European allies over the conflict.

Currently, the United States stations about 100 nuclear missiles in Germany as part of its NATO commitments. While Britain’s nuclear deterrent is integrated into the alliance, France maintains an independent nuclear arsenal.

Mr Merz said last week that the UK and France should discuss whether their nuclear protection could extend to Germany. On Sunday, he warned that Mr Trump’s America had become “indifferent to the fate of Europe”.

Speaking during a visit to Kyiv on Monday, Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed there was a “moral case” for Ukraine to develop its own nuclear weapons as the Russian threat grows.

German diplomatic sources indicated that no formal talks had begun on a European nuclear deterrent. However, Mr Macron has pushed for a debate on how France’s nuclear weapons could contribute to Europe’s defence.

A Berlin diplomat said: “If France moves to place a nuclear deterrent in Germany, the UK will face growing calls to follow suit."

France’s nuclear stockpile consists of around 300 warheads, while Britain’s Trident system relies on submarine-based missiles.

The issue of European nuclear defence is set to become a key point of discussion as geopolitical tensions mount.