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https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id12658-nuclear-blackmail-or-a-new-arms-race-a-general-suggested-nuclear-weapons-for-germany-and-poland

Nuclear blackmail or a new arms race? A general suggested nuclear weapons for Germany and Poland

Why James Stavridis says Europe could defend itself without the US if Ukraine joins NATO

Nuclear blackmail or a new arms race? A general suggested nuclear weapons for Germany and Poland

Former NATO commander James Stavridis says Europe could defend itself without the US if Ukraine joins the alliance, but nuclear deterrence remains a key risk.

2026-01-29T23:42:02+03:00

2026-01-29T23:42:02+03:00

2026-01-29T23:42:02+03:00

In an interview with Bloomberg, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General James Stavridis, said he believes European countries would be capable of defending themselves even if the United States were to leave the alliance — provided Ukraine joins NATO. He noted that while the US remains NATO’s largest military contributor, the combined defense spending of the other member states is around €400 billion, which he pointed out is higher than the military budgets of China and Russia. Stavridis also reminded that nearly a third of the world’s 25 biggest defense companies are European, and argued that Europe’s defense industry is capable of developing its own weapons systems without relying on American supplies. According to the general, if US strategic priorities continue shifting toward the Western Hemisphere, as set out in the National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy, the remaining NATO members will still «be fine». At the same time, he identified nuclear deterrence as the most serious challenge in a scenario where Washington exits NATO. Stavridis suggested that Germany and Poland might then either try to build their own nuclear arsenals or negotiate temporary access to US nuclear capabilities. As for Ukraine, he stressed that with its 40-million population, standing army and high level of motivation, its accession would bring NATO’s membership back to 32 countries.

James Stavridis,Europe defence without US,Ukraine NATO membership,NATO without US,nuclear deterrence,Germany Poland nuclear arsenal,Western Hemisphere strategy

2026

William Moore

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Why James Stavridis says Europe could defend itself without the US if Ukraine joins NATO

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William Moore, Editor

02:42 30-01-2026

Former NATO commander James Stavridis says Europe could defend itself without the US if Ukraine joins the alliance, but nuclear deterrence remains a key risk.

In an interview with Bloomberg, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General James Stavridis, said he believes European countries would be capable of defending themselves even if the United States were to leave the alliance — provided Ukraine joins NATO.

He noted that while the US remains NATO’s largest military contributor, the combined defense spending of the other member states is around €400 billion, which he pointed out is higher than the military budgets of China and Russia. Stavridis also reminded that nearly a third of the world’s 25 biggest defense companies are European, and argued that Europe’s defense industry is capable of developing its own weapons systems without relying on American supplies.

According to the general, if US strategic priorities continue shifting toward the Western Hemisphere, as set out in the National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy, the remaining NATO members will still «be fine».

At the same time, he identified nuclear deterrence as the most serious challenge in a scenario where Washington exits NATO. Stavridis suggested that Germany and Poland might then either try to build their own nuclear arsenals or negotiate temporary access to US nuclear capabilities. As for Ukraine, he stressed that with its 40-million population, standing army and high level of motivation, its accession would bring NATO’s membership back to 32 countries.