Why American Nuclear Weapons Are Deployed in Europe: Explanations from the U.S.

The United States has deployed nuclear weapons in European countries to deter them from developing their own nuclear capabilities and to minimize the risks of proliferation. This was stated by Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control at the U.S. State Department, in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"The U.S. has indeed deployed weapons in Europe as part of its extended deterrence commitments to NATO allies," the diplomat said.

According to her, this mission stems from the negotiations surrounding the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in the 1960s, when the Soviet Union was deeply concerned about the nuclear weapons development and deployment programs of NATO member countries, primarily Germany.

Gottemoeller added that from the perspective of the United States and its NATO allies, the NPT is a non-proliferation agreement in Europe, as it has prevented many NATO allies from acquiring and deploying nuclear weapons.