Sanchez: Nuclear Rearmament is a ‘Historical Error’ That Threatens Global Security
Munich — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivered a stark warning to world leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, asserting that a return to nuclear armament represents a “historical error that we cannot commit again.” In a direct address that challenged the prevailing sentiment among some European allies, Sanchez argued that expanding nuclear arsenals is a path that undermines, rather than ensures, true sovereignty and security.
“Nuclear powers have forgotten the lessons of the past, and they are expanding their nuclear arsenals once again,” Sanchez told the assembly. He contended that the logic of nuclear deterrence, which dominated the Cold War era, remains fundamentally flawed in the modern geopolitical landscape. According to the Prime Minister, the strategy is “far too costly and too dangerous,” diverting colossal public investments away from essential societal needs while increasing the existential risk of conflict born from technical malfunctions or human miscalculation.
Sanchez’s remarks stood in sharp contrast to recent positions taken by other European heavyweights. Just a day prior at the same conference, French President Emmanuel Macron and German conservative leader Friedrich Merz had signaled the need for a more robust European nuclear deterrent in the face of growing instability on the continent’s eastern flank. Proponents of this view argue that credible nuclear capabilities are the only language aggressors understand, citing the “system that requires zero mistakes” as a necessary gamble to prevent conventional wars from escalating into total conquest.
The Spanish Premier acknowledged the severity of current threats, specifically noting that while Spain is geographically removed from the immediate front lines, it recognizes the “real threat” posed by Russian aggression. “The world is becoming more unstable, and we Europeans must strengthen our defense capabilities to protect our freedom and way of life,” Sanchez admitted. However, he drew a firm red line at nuclear proliferation. “70 years ago, our parents and grandparents came to the conclusion that nuclear deterrence was a risky way of avoiding conflict,” he reminded the audience, warning that relying on weapons of mass destruction “is not a guarantee – it is a gamble.”
The debate comes at a critical juncture for European defense policy. With the global security architecture fracturing, nations are scrambling to redefine their strategic autonomy. While Sanchez advocates for strengthening conventional military forces and diplomatic security guarantees, critics maintain that without a nuclear umbrella, Europe remains vulnerable to coercion by nuclear-armed adversaries.
Sanchez concluded his address by urging a shift in perspective, calling for security guarantees that do not rely on the “brink of extinction.” His comments highlight a deepening ideological rift within the Western alliance: whether to embrace a new nuclear age as a necessary evil or to reject it as a relic that offers the illusion of safety at an unacceptable price.
theguardian.com
theguardian.com
