Europe Approaches French Nuclear Offer With Caution and Optimism

France’s historic move to bolster its atomic arsenal and offer nuclear arms cooperation to European partners has left the continent divided, with capitals eager for a deterrent separate from an erratic US but afraid of irking President Donald Trump.

The strongest endorsement has come from Germany, with both Paris and Berlin pledging closer defense partnership, beginning discussions on how to coordinate on conventional missile defense and nuclear capabilities, and cooperating on nuclear exercises starting this year.