dpa
Berlin
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that Europe should take a confident stance toward incoming US president Donald Trump, and remain clear in defending the sovereignty of borders.
“I would also advise everyone to always keep a straight back,” Scholz said, using an expression that means to show confidence and strength.
His remarks at a political candidate forum organized by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper in Berlin come just hours before Trump is due to take the oath of office.
Scholz said that this was why he had also publicly stated that borders “universally” should not be touched in direct response to Trump’s demands that the US lay claim to Greenland, the Panama canal and Canada.
“I believe this is something that will remain with us in the near future, that we are clear on the issue,” Scholz said.
The chancellor also reiterated at the forum that he does not expect “an immediate slump” in US aid for Ukraine, which has been battling against the ongoing Russian invasion.
