White House claims John Kelly looked 'displeased' at NATO summit because 'because he was expecting a full breakfast and there were only pastries and cheese'

Leah Millis/Reuters

The White House on Wednesday claimed John Kelly looked disappointed at the NATO summit in Brussels due to the limited breakfast options.

• The White House on Wednesday claimed chief of staff John Kelly looked "displeased" at the NATO summit in Brussels because "he was expecting a full breakfast and there were only pastries and cheese."
• Reporters at the scene said Kelly looked uncomfortable during a working breakfast at the summit as Trump suggested Germany is "controlled" by Russia. 
• Trump's remarks on Germany and Russia generated a sharply worded response from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The White House on Wednesday claimed chief of staff John Kelly looked "displeased" during part of the NATO summit in Brussels because "he was expecting a full breakfast and there were only pastries and cheese."

During a working breakfast that marked the start of the summit, Trump claimed Germany is "controlled" by Russia due to an energy partnership between the two countries.

"It's very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia where we're supposed to be guarding against Russia, and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions of dollars a year from Russia," Trump said at the time.

He added that "Germany is totally controlled by Russia."

As Trump made these comments, reporters at the scene noted that Kelly looked fairly uncomfortable. 

Mary Civiello, an executive communications coach and expert on body language, told The Washington Post that Kelly's expression during Trump's comments seemed to suggest "he wants to be anywhere but where he is." 

But White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told The Washington Post that Kelly that was simply upset about the limited breakfast options. 

Trump's remarks on Germany and Russia generated a sharply worded response from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"I have experienced myself how a part of Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union," Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany, told reporters.

"I am very happy that today we are united in freedom, the Federal Republic of Germany," Merkel added. "Because of that we can say that we can make our independent policies and make independent decisions. That is very good, especially for people in eastern Germany."

As Trump met with Merkel later in the day, he claimed to have a "very, very good" relationship with the German leader. 

"We had a great meeting discussing military expenditure," Trump said. "We're talking about trade. We have a very, very good relationship with the chancellor. We have a tremendous relationship with Germany."