PM Fiala: extending French nuclear umbrella to EU is premature

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala says the debate over extending France’s nuclear umbrella to European partners is premature. Speaking in Prague on Thursday before heading to an emergency EU summit in Brussels, he welcomed France’s offer but stressed that the US role in European defense must first be clarified. Mr. Fiala emphasized the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties.

French President Emmanuel Macron had proposed extending France’s nuclear umbrella to European countries, but emphasized that the decision to use nuclear weapons would remain solely with the French president.

While the Czech Prime Minister supported France’s willingness to protect Europe, he urged a focus on increasing defense spending. The Czech government announced plans to gradually increase defense spending by 0.2 percent of GDP each year until reaching 3 percent by 2030. Mr. Fiala also called for more European cooperation on defense acquisitions and boosting operational efficiency.