France and Latvia to begin talks on nuclear deterrence

France has agreed to open talks with Latvia on a European nuclear deterrence program. This was stated by the Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed readiness to strengthen the French military presence in Latvia, primarily in the field of air defense.

A French delegation will visit Latvia in the near future, Kulbergs added. “Such a commitment will strengthen the security not only of Latvia, but also of the entire eastern flank of NATO,” he added.

In March, France, one of two nuclear-armed European countries, proposed to its European partners the concept of “enhanced” deterrence, which involves extending the French nuclear umbrella to other countries without transferring direct arms control.

10 countries have already joined the initiative: the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.