Following the G7 Summit in France, US President Donald Trump caused rising tensions in European politics with his statements about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
TRUMP'S SURPRISING CLAIMS: SHE BEGGED, I FELT SORRY
In an interview with the Italian television channel La7, US President Donald Trump targeted Meloni by recounting an alleged incident from the G7 Summit.
Trump said, "She begged me to take a photo. She wanted it so much that I felt sorry for her and took it. She is probably very happy that I spoke to her because I didn't have to."
The statement quickly sparked widespread reaction in the European press.
MELONI'S SHARP RESPONSE: COMPLETE FICTION
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded to the claims via a video message, firmly rejecting Trump's words. Meloni said, "Complete fiction. I wish the US President would show this toughness to the West's enemies as well. Italy and I never beg."
The Prime Minister also stated, "I don't know why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his own allies."
DIPLOMATIC TENSION ON THE ROME-WASHINGTON LINE
The most concrete step in the crisis came from Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Following Trump's statements, Tajani canceled his visit to the US. Tajani was expected to hold meetings in Washington on June 21-22.
MELONI: NO PROBLEM AT THE SUMMIT
However, Meloni had painted a different picture in her statement at the closing of the G7 Summit in Evian. The Italian leader said there was a "very positive atmosphere" at the summit and that there were "no frictions" among world leaders.
RELATIONSHIP TRANSFORMATION: FROM BRIDGE TO CRISIS
After Trump's return to the White House, Meloni was once seen as a "bridge leader" between the US and the European Union.
However, it is noted that relations have cooled, especially following tensions on the US-Iran-Israel line. Trump's previous criticism of Pope Francis's anti-war statements and Meloni's reaction to those statements had also increased tension.
I THOUGHT SHE WAS BRAVE
Trump had previously told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera about Meloni, "I was surprised. I thought she was brave, but I was wrong." The US President also suggested that Italy did not provide support during the war process with Iran, sending a message that American troops could withdraw from Italy.
REACTION FROM BELGIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken criticized Trump's words about Meloni in a post on the social media platform of the US-based company X.
Francken stated that insults from the White House must stop, noting that this divides the Western world and serves no purpose. In his post, Francken used the expressions: 'The insults from the White House must stop. It divides the West and serves no purpose. And they should keep their hands off Giorgia Meloni. Enough.'
