Financial Times: US in talks to expand nuclear weapons deployment in Europe

US officials have signalled openings to additional deployments beyond the six existing countries that house bombers capable of nuclear bombing, said FT, citing three people informed of the discussions.

The move would include more countries to host so-called double-skilled American jets (DCA), who are able to carry out nuclear attacks, the paper said, while warning that an agreement to extend US nuclear expectation was not imminent, reports Reuters , broadcast Periscope.

Countries on the east side of NATO, including Poland and several Baltic states, were interested in potentially hosting DCA bases, the report said, adding that discussions were continuing on NATO channels.

Reuters couldn't verify the report immediately. The White House, the Department of Defence and NATO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby previously said the US would continue to use their nuclear weapons to protect NATO members, even though European allies take the lead in conventional forces.

US President Donald Trump, and many of his aides have criticised European allies for not spending enough for their armies and for US support for conventional protection. /Periscope/