Despite recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to annex Greenland, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU urges the German government to keep confidence in the partnership with the United States. “We must not raise doubts about the U.S. alliance” he told the Süddeutsche Zeitung in its Saturday edition, stressing the need for constructive cooperation even when it isn’t always easy.

Dobrindt pointed to the past few days as evidence that “remaining in dialogue with one another is essential”. He added that Europe should shift its focus eastward, toward the Ukraine crisis. “It is crucial for Europeans that Putin’s war ends” he said. “The West must stand together and avoid additional conflicts to achieve this”.