Ministers met in Brussels to reassess the role of nuclear forces in Allied security, hinting at concrete modernization and planning steps to follow.
The Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) – a key NATO body on nuclear deterrence – held another ministerial-level meeting on June 18, 2026.
According to a NATO press release, the meeting took place in a ministerial format and focused on reviewing the role of nuclear deterrence in the Alliance’s modern strategy.
The ministers of the NPG reminded that the Alliance’s strategic nuclear forces remain the primary guarantee of the Allies’ security and lie at the heart of NATO’s extended deterrence architecture.
Key Highlights from the Meeting and Next Steps
“The Alliance supports safe, reliable, and effective nuclear positioning to preserve peace, deter coercion, and deter aggression,”
– NATO press office
The ministers also agreed to continue refining the nuclear deterrence mission by modernizing the nuclear arsenal, strengthening the capabilities for nuclear planning, and adapting to security interests.
According to the NATO press office, today the meeting of defence ministers from Alliance member states is taking place at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Also on this day, President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
In the future, continued active coordination among the Allies to strengthen nuclear deterrence and ensure stability in the Euro-Atlantic region is expected.