On Russia, I can only repeat what the president [Barack Obama] said. This is all about respecting certain principles, and I'm saying this from a European vantage point, from a European, from a German vantage point, sorry, the fact that for over 70 years we have been able to enjoy peace.

There's a rumour going around that states cannot go bankrupt. This rumour is not true.

This conclusion of trade agreements that go beyond the scope of mere tariff agreements, customs agreements, are most important and I'm very pleased we were able to bring this to fruition between Canada and the E.U. We've made great progress, particularly if we look at one of the great global issues, namely climate protection, without the engagement of the current administration under the leadership of Barack Obama, this Paris agreement would never have come about.

We have freedom to demonstrate in Germany, but there is no place for incitement and insulting people who come to us from other countries.

The land of unlimited opportunity was for me, for a long time, impossible to reach. The wall, barbed wire and the order to shoot at those who tried to leave limited my access to the free world.

In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together.

It's not five minutes to midnight. It's five minutes after midnight.