Merzi talks with Macron about the European nuclear shield

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that Berlin had begun confidential talks with France about a European nuclear defense, saying the region needed to become stronger in order to restore relations with the United States.

In his opening speech at the Munich Security Conference, Merzi also called on Washington to repair and revive trust in a dangerous new era of great-power politics, warning that the US cannot walk alone as the old global order crumbles.

The speech underscored how European leaders are increasingly seeking to forge an independent path after a year of unprecedented turmoil in transatlantic ties, while also trying to preserve their alliance with Washington.