02:39Germany: US relationship as important as ever, says German govt spokesperson
“It was clear” that there would be “differences” between Germany and the US government under US President Donald Trump, spokesperson of the German government Steffen Seibert said during a press conference in Berlin, Wednesday.
However, Seibert added, the nations’ relationship is a “historical, friendship between two peoples,” and therefore “a lot more than two governments” negotiating. He referred to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who stressed that the trans-Atlantic relationship remains as important as ever to Germany, even in “turbulent times.”
Last month Trump criticised Merkel’s refugee policies, calling them a "catastrophic mistake." Seibert assured the German government would continue to “represent [its] beliefs” to the US and reminded the press that this is “the very beginning of a cooperation.”
The government spokesperson also addressed the recent outbreak of violence in eastern Ukraine during the press conference, saying Germany “explicitly condemns” the escalation and is “urging both sides to adhere to the agreed ceasefire and to refrain from provoking one another”. He further called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire so that civilians, who have been cut off from water and energy supplies, could receive assistance and repairs could be carried out.
02:39“It was clear” that there would be “differences” between Germany and the US government under US President Donald Trump, spokesperson of the German government Steffen Seibert said during a press conference in Berlin, Wednesday.
However, Seibert added, the nations’ relationship is a “historical, friendship between two peoples,” and therefore “a lot more than two governments” negotiating. He referred to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who stressed that the trans-Atlantic relationship remains as important as ever to Germany, even in “turbulent times.”
Last month Trump criticised Merkel’s refugee policies, calling them a "catastrophic mistake." Seibert assured the German government would continue to “represent [its] beliefs” to the US and reminded the press that this is “the very beginning of a cooperation.”
The government spokesperson also addressed the recent outbreak of violence in eastern Ukraine during the press conference, saying Germany “explicitly condemns” the escalation and is “urging both sides to adhere to the agreed ceasefire and to refrain from provoking one another”. He further called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire so that civilians, who have been cut off from water and energy supplies, could receive assistance and repairs could be carried out.