France, Latvia Plan Nuclear Deterrence Talks

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced on September 22 that French President Emmanuel Macron had agreed to begin negotiations on Latvia joining the French Forward Nuclear Deterrence Initiative. Kulbergs said he had been in active contact with Macron on closer security and defense cooperation and stated: "President Macron has agreed to begin negotiations with Latvia regarding our country's accession to the French Forward Nuclear Deterrence Initiative." Macron also agreed to consider expanding French military presence in Latvia, particularly air-defense capabilities. Control of the nuclear arsenal remains with Paris. Latvia's foreign and defense ministries were tasked with preparing the negotiating position, cooperation model, and timeline. No contested claims found in the record. Finland and Estonia previously joined or began talks under the same initiative. Latvia recently blocked an EU compromise on sanctions against Russian oligarchs.