Merkel: Trump craves attention and pursues policies for effect, not result

She said this at the presentation of the Greek translation of her memoir "Freedom" in Athens, Politico reported.

Speaking at an event organised by the Kathimerini newspaper, Merkel recalled the moment she met Trump in the Oval Office in March 2017 - when he refused to shake her hand, but did so outside the office, where there were no cameras.

"I made the mistake of saying: 'Donald, we should shake hands' - and he refused," she revealed. - 'He wanted to get attention. That's what he wants: to distract everyone and be at the centre. You can also see it in the way he imposes duties. He does it to be the focus, not for the result."

In Merkel's view, Trump was not acting as a statesman, but as a former businessman. In her book, she notes that he valued politics the same way he valued real estate deals:

"If he didn't get something - then someone else got it." In other words, "he regarded the success of one state as the defeat of another."

Merkel emphasised: this approach to international relations destroys the principles of cooperation and solidarity, especially important for Europe.

"Even America cannot survive alone," she added.

In the face of new challenges, Merkel called on the EU for firmness:

"When Trump imposes duties again - we must not pass over. Europe must be united and respond symmetrically. I'm not saying we should sever relations with the US, but we have a duty to negotiate as equals."

Merkel's concerns were also fuelled by recent statements by US Vice President J.D. Vance, who said that allies can only be supported if they share "the American understanding of freedom".

"This is a threat to democracy," the former chancellor warned.