The United States has opened talks about deploying additional nuclear weapons across Europe.
In the discussions, US officials suggested they were willing to expand the number of Nato countries that host American air-dropped nuclear bombs, the Financial Times reported, citing three anonymous sources.
The secretive talks come as Donald Trump withdraws troops and critical non-nuclear weapons systems from European allies.
However, the move appears to be designed to reassure European allies that reduced conventional military support does not mean Washington is stepping back entirely from its security commitment to the continent.
It could allow more countries to host US dual-capable aircraft under Nato’s nuclear sharing programme.
Currently, the UK, Belgium, Turkey, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands are approved to host these aircraft accompanied by “forward-deployed” tactical nuclear weapons.
These smaller bombs are designed to be used on the battlefield, as opposed to the long-range strategic missiles, which are powerful enough to obliterate entire cities thousands of miles away.
The US has had tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Europe since 1954 under plans drawn up at the height of the Cold War.
1712 Where nuclear weapons are stationed in Europe
The bombs are stored at European bases protected by American forces and only usable at the behest of Washington.
The programme was designed to offer greater protection to non-nuclear allies without them acquiring their own bombs.
European militaries operating nuclear-capable aircraft, such as the F-35A and F-15, often join US-led exercises to practice using the bombs under the command of Washington.
Deploying more nuclear weapons to Europe would match the proposals for a Nato 3.0 by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon official reviewing American force posture around the world.
He has proposed removing troops and non-nuclear weapon systems from Europe to be refocused on the Indo-Pacific region.
This shift in strategy has led to 5,000 American troops being withdrawn from Germany and plans to deploy long-range Tomahawk missiles in the country also pulled.
But while European countries would be expected to ramp up their conventional defences against Russia, Washington would continue to extend its nuclear umbrella across the continent.
After a recent Nato meeting, Mark Rutte, the alliance’s secretary-general, said: “With the common understanding that whilst the US will pivot more towards other theatres, that the overall deterrence and defence in Europe has to stay the same.”
Countries such as Poland and the Baltic states, which border Russia, are understood to be interested in hosting any additional weapons.
However, the deployments are not expected to be imminent.
France is also holding talks with allies about possibly hosting its own tactical nuclear weapons at foreign bases for the first time.
Germany, Sweden and Poland have discussed the unprecedented negotiations with Emmanuel Macron, the French president.