Ahead of talks with the NATO cheif, Merkel said she had always backed dialogue between Russia and the western alliance. “But unfortunately no cooling off has occurred there at the moment,” she said.

The chancellor noted “big contradictions,” between Russia and NATO, but added that dialogue was always better than no dialogue.

Referring to a long-running debate over defence spending, Merkel said that Germany had improved its defence capabilities considerably with respect to the defence budget during her 16 years in office.

NATO member states have committed to spend 2 per cent of gross domestic product on defence, but Germany remains well short of that mark, as Merkel acknowledged. This was a task for the incoming government, she said in reference to ongoing coalition talks.

Merkel nevertheless noted the long-standing constructive relationship between NATO and the German military.

Stoltenberg said Germany had a key role to play in the alliance. “NATO needs a strong Germany, politically and militarily,” he said, adding that this meant, however, that the German military should have at its disposal all the capabilities needed to defend the country.

The situation on the Belarus border would be a key issue in his talks with Merkel, Stoltenberg said, terming the current situation alarming. He also noted the Russian military’s increased activity on its border with Ukraine.