WASHINGTON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States is discussing whether to deploy nuclear weapons in more NATO states, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
U.S. officials have signaled openness to additional deployments beyond six countries that currently host nuclear-capable bombers, the report said, citing three people briefed on the discussions.
NATO's nuclear sharing program involves six allies — Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom — that are approved to host U.S. dual-capable aircraft and "forward-deployed" nuclear bombs, according to the report.
The report said that the move may allow more allies to host dual-capable aircraft, which can carry out nuclear strike missions, while countries on NATO's eastern flank, including Poland and some Baltic states, have expressed interest in hosting bases to house the aircraft.
Discussions were ongoing through NATO channels, but an agreement to expand U.S. nuclear hosting was not imminent, the people told the newspaper.
Two of the people said the discussions were intended to demonstrate Washington's commitment to creating a nuclear umbrella, the report said.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized European allies for not spending enough on their militaries and relying too much on Washington for conventional defense. ■
