France Seeks Joint Missile Doctrine With Germany

France is pressing Germany to coordinate how the two countries define and use long-range missiles, amid French officials’ concern that Russia could mistake a conventional strike for a wider attack and escalate toward nuclear conflict. A senior German official has voiced support for a joint doctrine and a shared understanding of how escalation could unfold.

The discussions are intended to address how missile systems might be used and what should qualify as a deep-precision strike, according to accounts from people familiar with the talks. French officials want Germany’s approach to align with France’s nuclear strategy. No agreed doctrine or timetable for an outcome has been announced in the reports.

One French official warned that Russia might misread the signal from a conventional attack. “If the Russians dont get the signal right you could get to the nuclear threshold without realizing,” the official said. The concern is a risk officials describe, not evidence that Russia has misinterpreted a strike or that nuclear escalation is imminent.

France is also concerned that Moscow could hold Paris responsible for strikes by European partners under President Emmanuel Macron’s concept...