French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to begin negotiations with Latvia regarding the country's potential involvement in France’s nuclear deterrence strategy. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced that Latvia has joined an initiative launched by Macron aimed at encouraging other European nations to participate in discussions and activities related to nuclear defense, without sharing actual nuclear weapons. This initiative seeks to strengthen European security through strategic dialogue and joint exercises, while maintaining that the final decisions on nuclear matters remain with individual countries. Latvia, which shares a border with Russia and Belarus, sees participation in this initiative as a way to bolster its own security and that of the broader NATO eastern flank. Macron, as the leader of the only European country with nuclear weapons—alongside the United Kingdom—has been promoting this voluntary collaboration since early this year. The initiative has already attracted a dozen partner countries, with Lithuania and Estonia, both also bordering Russia, considering joining. The French initiative involves strategic consultations and military exercises, but not the direct sharing of nuclear weapons. Macron has emphasized that the goal is to enhance European security cooperation, particularly in light of ongoing tensions with Russia. However, Russia has criticized the move, calling it “rash.” Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russian foreign affairs, warned last week that placing a French nuclear system closer to Russia’s borders could make it easier for the Russian military to strike in the event of a conflict. This development reflects growing concerns among European countries about regional security, especially in light of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. As more countries explore participation in the initiative, the implications for European defense cooperation and relations with Russia remain closely watched.