Latvia PM says France has agreed to start nuclear deterrent talks

France has agreed to start talks with Latvia on extending its nuclear deterrent and to increase its military presence in the Baltic state, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said Tuesday.

France's President Emmanuel Macron "has agreed to begin negotiations with Latvia regarding our country's participation in the French nuclear deterrence initiative," Kulbergs said in a statement. He added that a French delegation would soon visit Latvia.

The French leader has offered to start talks with other European countries on extending the protection of France's nuclear deterrent as fears mount over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Macron also "expressed his commitment to strengthening the French military presence in Latvia, particularly in the area of air defence," the prime minister added.

"Such a commitment will strengthen the security not only of Latvia but also of NATO's entire eastern flank."

France already takes part in NATO's air patrols in the Baltic states -- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- which form part of the alliance's eastern flank.

The mission was stepped up in 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and now includes other eastern European countries.

France and Britain are the only two nuclear-armed countries in Europe.

Macron announced in March that France was ready to develop an "advanced" deterrent that included other countries but which would not give them control over France's nuclear bomb.

Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden have joined the French initiative, while Estonia and Lithuania had said they want to join.

Russia has condemned the plan as "reckless".