The risk of a small Russian nuclear strike in Europe is rising as the US military deterrent wanes, a British think-tank has warned. There is currently no sign that the US will decrease its extended nuclear deterrence commitments to European Nato members,” it also said. The study cited estimates that Russia could be ready for a limited European attack between 2027 and 2030. But the UK nuclear arsenal is not “sovereign” from the US, meaning that if Trump turned his back on Europe, the independence of the British nuclear power was unclear. “As the US is setting its sights beyond Europe, Nato needs to become more European to maintain its strength,” she said.