Towards a Europeanised nuclear deterrence?

• Florence School of Transnational Governance
• The EU Security Initiative (EUSI)

European security is currently in a state of flux, and the long-ignored danger of nuclear use is once again high on the agenda.

The return of the nuclear debate has occurred in two steps: 1) Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine shattered the belief that war in Europe was a thing of the past and Russia’s threats about nuclear escalation in the war brought the issue of nuclear deterrence to the centre of the European security debate; 2) the apparent withdrawal of the United States from its leading position in European security has up-ended the transatlantic relationship and sown doubts about the credibility of NATO’s Article Five and the American nuclear guarantee. European decision-makers therefore must think seriously about Europe’s defence and deterrence – including its nuclear options.

The speakers of the Roundtable will consider recent developments in European security and defence and outline the current challenges and options, including the current debate about a Europeanised nuclear deterrence involving a shift from total reliance on the US umbrella toward a more integrated role for French and British nuclear forces.

The Roundtable is part of the EU Security Initiative (EUSI) and speakers on the Roundtable are drawn from the inaugural Florence Security Forum to be held on 15 and 16 April to address the many daunting security challenges facing Europe.