France warns German missile plans could escalate into nuclear war

France has urged Germany to clarify how it would use long-range missiles in a potential conflict with Russia, warning that conventional strikes could trigger a nuclear response.

According to the 'Financial Times', citing officials familiar with the discussions, Paris and Berlin are holding talks to align Germany’s long-range strike policy with France’s nuclear strategy.

A French official warned that Moscow could misinterpret a conventional attack on Russian territory as an escalation, potentially bringing the conflict to the nuclear threshold.

Germany is developing and acquiring missiles with ranges of 500 to more than 2,000 kilometres, while Moscow is around 1,600 kilometres from Berlin.

The discussions also concern French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to extend France’s nuclear protection to other European countries. Germany has pledged €780 billion in defence spending through 2030 amid growing security concerns over Russia and uncertainty about US military commitments to Europe.