The obligation to remove foreign nuclear weapons
Within 90 days after becoming a state party to the TPNW, Belarus, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye would each be obliged to ensure the removal of the foreign nuclear weapons that they currently host on their territory.
In the case of Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye, this concerns the total of 100 US nuclear bombs stationed in US Air Force bases on their territories. In the case of Belarus, which became the sixth state to host foreign nuclear weapons on its soil in the second half of 2023, the number, types and location of deployed Russian nuclear weapons is uncertain.
Over the years, there have been several attempts by European policymakers to have the remaining nuclear weapons removed from their respective territory. Numerous non-governmental organisations have continued to advocate for removal and in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands several political initiatives, involving parliamentary debates and motions, have also sought to achieve the removal of nuclear weapons.
For more information on this obligation, see the 2023 edition of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor.
- Under Article 4(4), any state party with foreign nuclear weapons in its territory or in any other place under its jurisdiction or control is obligated to ensure their prompt removal as soon as possible but not later than a deadline to be determined by the First Meeting of States Parties.
- The First Meeting of States Parties in 2022 agreed upon a deadline of a maximum of 90 days for such removal, which is a binding rule upon all states parties.
- Upon removal, the territorial state party is required to submit a declaration of full compliance to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.