Gabriel, who is the SPD’s likely candidate to challenge Merkel in 2017, also criticized NATO „sabre-rattling“ on the border to Russia, adding a political solution was needed. „For example I think it’s totally wrong to react with permanent NATO sabre-rattling on the Russian border.“ http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/16/us-ukraine-crisis-germany-gabriel-idUSKCN0J00RH20141116