look news india
US President Donald Trump, famous for his unexpected and shocking statements on international diplomatic forums, has suddenly appeared to be changing his tone regarding Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. During a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit held in the Turkish capital Ankara, when journalists asked Trump questions on the ongoing bitterness with Italy, Trump praised Meloni in a very measured manner. Describing Meloni as a ‘wonderful woman’, Trump publicly said that he personally likes her very much and that the historical relations between the two countries have always been strong.
However, behind this praise, Trump also expressed the diplomatic pain which had recently built a big wall between the two countries. Trump admitted to the media that the recent problem between the two arose because Meloni had flatly refused to help Washington in the US military campaign against Iran. It is noteworthy that just before this, Trump had claimed that Meloni was begging to be photographed with him, after which Italy had given a very aggressive and strict reaction to this.
‘I was not happy but he is a wonderful person’: Trump corrects Maloney on Iran issue
Taking his point forward in the press conference, Donald Trump clarified that he had not put any undue or major pressure on the Italian government, but at a strategically important time, Meloni refused to openly support America in the matter of Iran. Trump candidly said that you yourself can imagine that I was not at all happy with this move of Italy, and due to this non-cooperation the diplomatic relations between the two superpowers were slightly affected.
Despite this, the US President toned down his bitterness and said that even though I think he has made a big strategic mistake on Iran policy, I still respect his wonderful personality and consider him a strong leader.
The fire was sparked by Truth’s social post: That ‘picture’ of the G-7 summit and the airstrip controversy
This unprecedented international controversy started when Donald Trump wrote a very offensive post on his official social media platform ‘Truth Social’. Trump had claimed that during the G-7 summit held in France, Meloni had repeatedly broken the security cordon and made a special request to get photographed with him in an official frame.
The matter was not limited to just photos; Trump made serious allegations against Italy in a defensive tone, saying that when the US Air Force was planning to attack Iran’s bases, Italy did not allow American fighter planes to use its military airports and runways. According to Trump, this unexpected refusal caused immense inconvenience to the US military. He sarcastically said that America spends billions of dollars on the air security of all NATO allies including Italy, but Italy turned its back when needed. Trump had also claimed that after seeing America’s military advance on Iran, Ms. Meloni is trying to get closer to Washington again.
Italy does not beg: Meloni’s video message and Foreign Minister’s US visit canceled
Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni had taken a very strong and self-respectful stand on these sharp allegations and ‘grotesque’ claims of Donald Trump. Meloni immediately released an official video message calling Trump’s claims completely imaginary, fabricated and beyond the truth. Meloni had told the global forum in a very strong tone that neither he personally nor the sovereign government of Italy begs anyone for its national policies.
The impact of this dispute was immediately visible on bilateral relations, when Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled his very important and proposed official visit to America at the last moment. While talking to the media in Rome, Tajani had clearly said that these comments of the US President are extremely insulting to the personal honor of Prime Minister Meloni and the sovereignty of the entire Italian nation, therefore it is not appropriate to visit Washington under such circumstances. However, now after Trump’s changed soft tone in Ankara, it is hoped that the ice between the two NATO allies may soon melt.