Paris has asked Berlin to explain how it plans to use long-range missiles, warning that a conflict with Russia could escalate to the nuclear level.
France’s concern is linked to the possibility that Moscow could interpret strikes by European allies as the beginning of a broader military campaign, the Financial Times reported.
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The warning comes as Germany is rapidly expanding its missile capabilities, including weapons that could strike targets deep inside Russian territory. French officials are calling for Germany’s plans to develop and use these systems to be aligned with France’s nuclear doctrine, in order to avoid actions that could trigger an uncontrolled escalation.
Berlin has allocated around 12 billion euros to create a new arsenal of long-range missiles, with the aim of deterring Russia. The program includes low-cost cruise missiles, U.S. Tomahawks and advanced systems designed in cooperation with the United Kingdom. Almost 3.4 billion euros will be used to purchase Tomahawks and mobile Typhon launchers.
The reported range of these missiles is around 2,500 kilometers, which would enable Germany to strike ground targets far from the front lines. At the same time, the country is cooperating with the United Kingdom on a secret project to develop missiles.
The joint “Deep Precision Strike” project aims to produce a system capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometers away. Potential targets include military logistics hubs and supply corridors inside Russia. The system could be operational by 2034.
France is particularly concerned that Moscow could misinterpret Europe’s military actions. “If the Russians misinterpret the message, we could reach the nuclear threshold without realizing it at all,” a French official told the Financial Times.
Paris is also concerned that Russia could hold France responsible for strikes carried out by other European allies, even when French forces are not directly involved.
A source cited by the Times said that France had developed a special “grammar and vocabulary” for nuclear matters, which Germany does not have. This reflects the differences between the two countries in how they understand nuclear deterrence, communicate military positions to adversaries and assess the risk of escalation.
However, the German side says it is ready to work on a joint framework for the use of long-range missiles and the management of escalation risks.
A senior German official told the Financial Times that Berlin “could not agree more” on the need for a common doctrine. “This is not something the French are asking for while we are resisting it,” he said.
According to the same official, the talks had previously stalled because of internal French discussions about the future of the country’s nuclear strategy. Now, he said, consultations between Paris and Berlin are gathering momentum again.
The rapid expansion of Germany’s missile capabilities has also brought renewed attention to Berlin’s refusal to provide Ukraine with similar weapons.
On November 5, Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s request for German Taurus missiles in an interview with broadcaster ZDF. He said Ukraine wanted to buy them and test them in real combat conditions.
Germany, however, has repeatedly refused to send the missiles, citing the risk of escalating the war with Russia.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has argued that Ukraine can already strike Russian oil refineries and military logistics facilities using domestically produced drones.
