GETTY Germany want Trump to improve relations with Russia

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Germany’s defence minister Ursula von der Leyen warned the President-elect against dismissing the major issues that have caused a breakdown in relations between Russia and the West. While Germany supports a dialogue with Trump, von der Leyen warned that Nato would be “dead” if its members did not come to each other’s aid in the event of an attack.

Speaking at an event on Friday, von der Leyen said: “It is a good thing when the new American president immediately seeks a dialogue with the Russian president. “It is good and it has our full support. “What can’t happen is forgetting – forgetting the annexation of Crimea, forgetting the hybrid war in Ukraine which continues, forgetting the bombardment of Aleppo.”

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Her comments come after Donald Trump repeatedly cast doubt during his winning election campaign over whether the US would continue its commitment to Nato should he become president. In July, Trump warned he could abandon Nato if he did not feel its members had “fulfilled obligations” to the alliance.

GETTY German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen

What can’t happen is forgetting – forgetting the annexation of Crimea, forgetting the hybrid war in Ukraine which continues, forgetting the bombardment of Aleppo Ursula von der Leyen

Meanwhile, relations between Nato and Russia are at an all-time low, with Nato deploying troops in the Baltic states to dissuade Russia from taking similar action to its annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014. Speaking at the event, German president Joachim Gauck told visiting Estonia president Kersti Kaljulaid: “We must unite with our partners to oppose wars and conflicts and also Russia’s lust for power. “Germany will stand by Estonia’s side when it comes to ensuring the security of the Baltic states.”

GETTY Nato's relations with Russia have been tested recently by Russia's military involvement in Syria