We feel bound to the Christian image of humanity - that is what defines us. Those who do not accept this are in the wrong place here.

Particularly from a German perspective, from a European perspective, I can only say again, Russia is our neighbor.

The G7 and former G8 group has always viewed itself as a community of values, the annexation of Crimea, which is a blatant violation of the principles of international law, and the events in eastern Ukraine are serious violations of these common values.

There is anything but an assurance of success, I have to be very clear about that.

A good compromise is one where everybody makes a contribution.

First, we need good, stable relations with Russia. Second, we must make every effort to save energy and focus on using various sources to meet our energy needs. We must not allow ourselves to become dependent.

We have [unfriendly policies] here in Europe, too. We have them here in Germany, too. And to take up where the president left off, digitization is in a way a disruptive force, a disruptive technological force that brings about deep-seated change, transformation of a society.