Pistorius Rejects German Nuclear Bomb Debate

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany will not pursue its own nuclear weapons capability, stressing that Berlin remains firmly bound by international law and its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

In an interview with Tagesschau, Pistorius addressed speculation over whether Germany could seek nuclear arms amid evolving European security debates.

Commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty

“We uphold the rules-based international order,” Pistorius said, underscoring that Germany has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and pledged never to acquire nuclear weapons.

He cautioned against any abrupt policy shift, warning that if Germany were perceived to be reconsidering its treaty obligations, other nations could follow suit.

“Thirty other states might say: ‘If the Germans leave the treaty, then so will we.’ The consequences would be enormous,” he said.

Macron–Merz Discussions and Legal Constraints

Pistorius acknowledged that discussions are underway at the European level, referring to talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz about potential European nuclear arrangements.

However, he emphasized that any such pathway would need to be handled “very carefully” and strictly within international law.

“Yes, there are pathways,” he said, “but this would have to be managed with extreme caution.”

Focus on Concrete Defense Projects

Rather than reopening the nuclear debate, Pistorius argued Germany should concentrate on practical defense initiatives, including the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the joint European fighter jet program.

“We were just discussing FCAS and other concrete defense projects,” he noted, suggesting these initiatives represent more realistic and immediate security priorities.

Deterrence Beyond Numbers

Addressing deterrence, Pistorius said nuclear security is not solely about stockpile size.

“Deterrence is not about simply comparing numbers,” he said, adding that even a single nuclear weapon can serve as a deterrent under certain strategic conditions.

His remarks come at a time of heightened debate in Europe over security guarantees and strategic autonomy, but Pistorius made clear that Berlin does not intend to abandon its long-standing non-nuclear stance.