France is ready to use its nuclear deterrent to help protect Europe, The Telegraph understands.

Fighter jets carrying nuclear weapons could be deployed to Germany as the US threatens to withdraw its forces from the Continent.

Friedrich Merz, expected to be the next German chancellor after winning his country’s elections on Sunday, has called on Britain and France to extend their nuclear protection as he seeks “independence” for Europe from Donald Trump’s America.

A French official told The Telegraph that deploying fighter jets would send a message to Vladimir Putin, while diplomats in Berlin suggested it would pressure Sir Keir Starmer to do the same.

“Posting a few French nuclear jet fighters in Germany should not be difficult and would send a strong message,” the source said.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, spoke with Mr Merz on Sunday night before travelling to the White House to present his plan for European security and the defence of Ukraine to Mr Trump.

At the White House summit, held on the third anniversary of the war, the US president suggested his country would not provide security guarantees to Ukraine after a peace deal is signed.

Speaking alongside Mr Trump at the podium, Mr Macron said peace “must not be a surrender of Ukraine” as he also called on Europeans to do more to protect the Continent.