We simply must become stronger together in nuclear deterrence in Europe,' Merz, expected to become Germany's next chancellor, said in an interview as the continent seeks to respond to US President Donald Trump's upending of the transatlantic alliance.

German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is open to negotiations regarding the joint use of nuclear weapons between the United Kingdom and France. However, he does not rule out the protection of the United States,

At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, EU leaders backed plans to spend more on defence amid fears that Russia, emboldened by its war in Ukraine, may attack an EU country next and that Europe can no longer rely on the U.S. to come to its aid.