US presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would not protect defaulting NATO members from Russia. Germany's foreign minister said the statement was like an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to test the defense alliance.
The federal government tried to appease: "In its security and defense policy, the federal government is clearly relying on the transatlantic community of values" The statements do not contribute to the strength that NATO needs, said the German foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel. He said: "Even if it is provocative, that doesn't mean we shouldn't take it seriously"