‘GERMANY A CAPTIVE OF RUSSIA’
DONALD Trump branded Germany a “captive of Russia” in a blistering attack at a Nato summit in Brussels.
The US President slated Chancellor Angela Merkel’s reliance on Vladimir Putin for 70% of Germany’s gas.
His war of words came at the start of his two-day trip yesterday before his planned UK visit tonight.
Mr Trump said: “Germany is a captive of Russia. They got rid of their coal plants, they got rid of their nuclear. They are getting so much of the oil and gas from Russia. We are supposed to be guarding against Russia and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions of dollars a year to Russia.”
Mrs Merkel hit back by saying Germany could determine its own policies and make its own decisions.
The row came as the US Embassy in London warned that protests could turn violent during Mr Trump’s UK trip. Police will ramp up security with one of the biggest operations ever seen on the streets of Britain.
More than 60,000 people have vowed to attend protests in London on Saturday.
Protesters yesterday prepared to launch their giant baby blimp of the president over the capital.
Mr Trump will travel to Scotland tomorrow night after meeting the Queen at Windsor Castle.
Pub landlord Damien Smyth, who runs The Jameson in west London, has renamed it The Trump Arms in honour of the visit.
He said: “Donald Trump doesn’t deserve this disrespect being shown to him. He’s fixing America and he’s doing a great job.”
The Star Says: Page 6