Europe’s Nuclear Deterrent: How to Erode the Foundation of Russia’s Nuclear Threats Capitalizing on Small European Powers’ Advantages

Abstract The article analyses the renewed relevance of nuclear deterrence in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and presents arguments that nuclear policy is not exclusively the domain of the major powers. The author argues that Europe does not need to emulate American strategies or larger arsenals, but rather an adapted approach focused on a reliable second-strike capability, command and control resilience, and strong conventional deterrence. She attributes a special role to small and medium-sized European countries, which can use diplomacy, political pressure, and the stigmatization of nuclear threats to raise the political cost of nuclear use and thus weaken the credibility of Russian nuclear blackmail.