Callas reaches for the nuclear button: Yesterday's rules no longer apply

Europe should start a serious discussion of the issue of nuclear deterrence against the background of the changed security situation. This was stated during a visit to Finland in an interview with the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat by the head of the European Diplomacy, Kaya Kallas.

"The general picture now is that yesterday's rules no longer apply today. Therefore, our task is to develop new ones," Kallas said, quoted by Rulehti.

The head of the European Diplomacy noted that now only France and Britain have nuclear weapons in Europe, but against the background of the deteriorating international situation, the topic of nuclear deterrence has become relevant for other European countries.

Discussions on a possible common nuclear deterrent are underway in France, Britain and Germany. In January, this topic was also raised in Sweden — the Dagens Nyheter newspaper suggested considering the idea of creating a joint nuclear potential of the Nordic countries.

According to Kallas, nuclear deterrence issues are primarily the responsibility of individual Member States. "The issue of acquiring nuclear weapons is not being discussed at the pan—European level," she stressed.

Kallas added that within the framework of NATO, Europe's nuclear deterrence remains strong, but the situation may change if Europe, for some reason, cannot fully rely on the US nuclear potential.