The Financial Times on June 2nd quoted 3 sources familiar with the matter as saying that US officials signaled their willingness to consider further nuclear sharing under the country's nuclear sharing mechanism.
This move may include adding countries that receive US dual-use aircraft (DCA) - aircraft capable of carrying and deploying nuclear weapons. However, no agreement has yet been approved on the expansion of this program.
The report said that countries on the eastern flank of NATO such as Poland and some Baltic countries expressed interest in the possibility of establishing bases for DCA squadrons. Discussions are still ongoing in NATO's consultation mechanisms.
Mr. Elbridge Colby - policy official at the Pentagon - previously publicly affirmed that the US will continue to use nuclear deterrence capabilities to protect NATO members, even if European allies take on a larger role in the conventional defense sector.
US President Donald Trump and many of his aides have repeatedly criticized European allies for insufficient defense spending and excessive dependence on Washington in ensuring security with conventional military forces.
NATO's nuclear sharing program currently includes Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the UK. These countries can receive or operate US dual-use aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Before information about the possibility of deploying more nuclear weapons in Europe appeared, the US had announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from the force of about 38,000 troops stationed in Germany, and at the same time canceled the plan to rotate the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland.
