Washington explores deploying additional nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe

Washington is holding consultations to explore the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in other European member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "NATO".

According to what was published by the "Financial Times" newspaper on Tuesday, the newspaper indicated that US officials have shown openness to the idea of additional deployment beyond the six current countries that host nuclear-capable bombers.

This step will include hosting more countries for what are known as US dual-capable aircraft capable of launching nuclear strikes, according to the same newspaper, which at the same time confirmed that reaching an agreement to expand the hosting of US nuclear weapons is not imminent.

Countries in the eastern flank of NATO, including Poland and some Baltic states, have expressed interest in hosting potential bases for these aircraft, and it was clarified that the discussions are taking place through NATO channels.

The White House, the Department of Defense, and NATO did not respond to requests for comment.

US President Donald Trump and many of his aides criticize European allies for not spending enough on their armies and relying on the United States for conventional defense.

The "Wall Street Journal" had reported that the US Department of Defense "the Pentagon" will significantly reduce the forces it plans to send to Europe in times of crisis.

Current and former officials familiar with the matter said that Alexander Velez Green, an official in the Department of Defense, informed NATO allies of the planned cuts in a closed meeting last week at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.

This is the latest step by the Trump administration to reduce its military support for NATO allies.

US President Trump has repeatedly strongly criticized Europe for its reaction to his war with Iran, and has repeatedly threatened the possibility of withdrawing from NATO.

NATO is preparing to hold a summit with Trump in Turkey in July next, and intends to showcase increased European defense spending to appease the US president.

Washington intends to reduce its military presence in Germany by about 15% of its total forces numbering 36,000 soldiers, a withdrawal that the Pentagon believes can be completed within "the next six to twelve months", according to its spokesman Sean Parnell.