I remember Soviet occupation...

Merkel hits back at Trump’s attack: I remember Soviet occupation

German chancellor rejected US president’s claim that Berlin is ‘totally controlled by Russia.’

By PHILIP KALETA AND EMMA ANDERSON

German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected accusations by Donald Trump that Germany is “totally controlled by Russia,” reminding the U.S. president that she remembered Soviet occupation, and saying it is “good that we are independent today.”

“Because of given circumstances I want to point out one thing: I experienced the Soviet occupation of one part of Germany myself. It is good that we are independent today,” said Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, a former satellite state of the Soviet Union.

Trump made the remarks about Germany ahead of a NATO leaders’ summit in Brussels on Wednesday, specifically citing the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.

“I think it’s very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia, where you’re supposed to be guarding against Russia and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions of dollars a year to Russia,” Trump said at a breakfast meeting before the summit.

Merkel also hit back against Trump’s repeated criticism that other NATO members don’t spend enough on defense.

“Germany contributes a lot,” she said, pointing out that Germany is the second largest provider of troops in NATO operations and has been engaged in Afghanistan “for many years.” She added, “We are willing to increase our defense spending as agreed in Wales. By 2028, we will have increased spending by 28 percent since 2014. Given those facts, I confidently join this summit.”