Countries neighboring Russia, including the Baltic states, have already shown interest

The US is mulling the deployment of its nuclear weapons to more NATO states in Europe, the Financial Times has reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions. Russia has already said that any NATO nuclear moves toward its borders would not go unanswered.

The potential move comes as Washington seeks to reassure allies unsettled by plans to reduce US troop numbers and critical weapons systems in Europe and redirect some resources to Asia and other regions, the FT said on Tuesday.

The US is broadly scaling back its military presence in Europe, where more than 80,000 US troops were stationed in 2025 under a system of combined territorial defense and deterrence dating back to the end of World War II.

Last month, the Pentagon canceled the planned rotation of 4,000 troops into Poland, shortly after announcing the withdrawal of 5,000 soldiers from Germany.

The FT paper described the talks as "highly confidential" and said they may not lead to any changes in existing nuclear-sharing arrangements. Currently six NATO countries host US nuclear weapons and dual-capable aircraft (DCA) certified to deliver them - Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Türkiye, and the UK.

Several NATO members on the bloc's eastern flank, including Poland and some Baltic states, have expressed interest in hosting US nuclear weapons and DCA, people familiar with the matter told the FT.

European NATO members remain heavily dependent on the US for key capabilities, though they have drastically increased their military budgets in recent years on the pretext of a supposed Russian threat.

Moscow has repeatedly voiced concern over NATO's buildup in Europe, condemning the region's militarization and the bloc's intensified military activity near its western borders.

Russia argues that Western governments are using "ostentatious Russophobia" to justify turning the EU into a military bloc and to divert attention away from domestic issues.

The Kremlin has stated that it has no intention of attacking any NATO nation, but has warned that it would aim its nuclear arsenal at countries hosting weapons directed at Russia.

(RT.com)