French President Emmanuel Macron has said he is ready to start discussions on nuclear deterrence for Europe, hinting France could help to protect other EU countries, given the security threats posed by Russia.

Europe is hopelessly out-gunned by Russia when it comes to nuclear missiles, a leading academic has warned - with the continent needing 1,000 more warheads to deter Vladimir Putin. German political scientist Maximilian Terhalle warned European leaders need to invest in more than 1,000 nukes to match more than 1,500 currently held by the Kremlin.

France and the UK, Europe's only two nuclear-armed powers, have scaled back their forces since the end of the Cold War, but they are now being called upon to step up.

The National Rally president took a more nuanced stance than his party’s presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen.

France is considering deploying its nuclear weapons on allied territories to replace the United States' nuclear arsenal in Europe, Le Figaro reports, citing the French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Macron,

Emmanuel Macron suggested in an interview with "Le Figaro" that France could deploy its nuclear weapons in allied countries. French warheads would replace the American presence in these countries. Macron emphasized that he is open to deepening cooperation with European partners in the realm of nuclear deterrence.

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that he is ready to begin negotiations on nuclear deterrence in Europe in response to Russia’s nuclear threats. In an interview with the national newspaper Le Monde,