Norway joins France's nuclear deterrence initiative.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere has announced that Norway will join France's nuclear deterrence initiative, as European countries strengthen defense cooperation and bolster regional security capabilities.

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on May 27, 2026. Photo: Bloomberg.

Speaking during his visit to Paris and talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on May 27, Stoere said that Norway would open discussions with France about joining the "active nuclear deterrence" mechanism promoted by Paris. Under this mechanism, European partners would be more deeply involved in strategic consultations related to France's nuclear policy.

At the meeting, Norway and France also signed a new defense agreement, in which both sides committed to strengthening security cooperation and providing military support when needed.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere emphasized that Norway's primary deterrence capability still relies on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States, but argued that France's nuclear capability is "an important contribution" to NATO's overall deterrence posture.

Mr. Stoere affirmed that participating in the French initiative would not change Norway's fundamental policy on nuclear weapons. Accordingly, Norway will not allow the deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory during peacetime and will not contribute financially to the French nuclear program.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the new agreement between the two countries establishes the principle of mutual assistance and contributes to promoting the goal of strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere witnessed Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik and French Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Catherine Vautrin sign an agreement at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on May 27, 2026. Photo: Reuters.

This initiative comes as European countries seek to bolster their defense capabilities amid concerns about the US's long-term security commitments and rising tensions with Russia.

Earlier in March, President Macron announced that France was ready to expand its nuclear deterrence role to European partners and add a “European dimension” to Paris’s nuclear strategy. He also announced plans to strengthen France’s nuclear arsenal.

Norway has become one of the latest European countries to join this initiative, following Poland and Lithuania. The Nordic nation, with a population of approximately 5.6 million, is a NATO member but not a member of the European Union (EU), and also shares a border with Russia in the Arctic region.

Minh Phuong

Source: Reuters, Xinhua News Agency

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/na-uy-tham-gia-sang-kien-ran-de-hat-nhan-cua-phap-289137.htm