Lithuania: H.E. Darius Jonas Semaška

DGAP asked leading European experts on foreign policy about Germany’s role in providing nuclear deterrence in Europe. These experts, who each represent an EU member or a key partner, responded to three open-ended questions. You can read the introduction to this assessment and download the whole report by clicking here.

Question 1

How does your government view the importance of nuclear deterrence and NATO’s nuclear sharing agreement for its own security and European security?

Photo and pull quote from H.E. Darius Jonas Semaska for the nuclear sharing article

Responsible deterrence key to offsetting Russian non-strategic nuclear arsenal

H.E. Darius Jonas Semaška, Ambassador to Germany, Lithuania

Safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrence shall remain an integral part of NATO’s defense and deterrence posture as long as nuclear weapons exist. NATO’s nuclear sharing serves important political, military and strategic purposes and provides an avenue of sharing responsibilities between the United States and European Allies. It does not allow Russia to acquire strategic dominance and escalation control, bearing in mind the much bigger number and variety of Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons in Europe.

Question 2

In the view of your government: What difference does Germany’s participation in nuclear sharing make? (Why) is Germany important in nuclear sharing?

Fighter jet on the deck of an aircraft carrier

German reliance at the center of NATO's consensus policy

H.E. Darius Jonas Semaška, Ambassador to Germany, Lithuania

Germany has always been a very important and reliable NATO member at the center of the Alliance’s well-prepared and balanced consensus policy. We believe this will not change despite different opinions and open discussion within Germany. Participation in nuclear sharing is not technical: it has political, military and strategic consequences and effects for European security. 

Question 3

What would be the plausible/probable effects within NATO and for European security, if Germany were to leave nuclear sharing?

Decorative image showing a blue gradient

Withdrawal would accelerate discussion about alternative nuclear sharing participants

H.E. Darius Jonas Semaška, Ambassador to Germany, Lithuania

If Germany decided to change its status in nuclear sharing this would inevitably accelerate discussion regarding alternative solutions. NATO needs to maintain an adequate response to the increasingly assertive Russia and its sophisticated nuclear weapons and new generation precision delivery systems.

About the author

Lithuanian Ambassador to Germany, Lithuania

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