Germany's election winner Friedrich Merz warned the United States on Monday against turning its back on allies but also urged Europeans to build up their own defence capabilities, saying it was now "five minutes to midnight for Europe".

After his election win on Sunday, Friedrich Merz is set to take charge of Europe’s biggest economy with the US defense umbrella looking shakier than any time since the NATO alliance was founded and Donald Trump is discussing the continent’s security with Vladimir Putin.

Merz expressed concern over changing relations with Washington under the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from the U.S.