Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated clearly at the conclusion of the NATO summit in Ankara that she has absolutely no regrets over the political capital she invested in building ties with US President Donald Trump.
She said, “I have absolutely no regrets about anything I did.”
The remarks came days after Trump shared a controversial meme targeting her. Trump had posted an image with the caption “Restraining Order Needed,” using a digitally altered photograph based on genuine footage from the G7 summit. The image had been edited using image editing software or AI tools.
Awkward Moment at the Summit
On 8 July, during the traditional NATO leaders’ family photo, Trump walked past Meloni. According to widely shared video clips and reports, the two did not make eye contact.
The moment gained significant attention against the backdrop of the meme controversy and the earlier photo dispute at the G7 summit. Observers described it as a visible sign of ongoing personal tension between the two leaders. Both sides, however, appeared keen to keep the matter personal and focus on broader alliance issues.
Trump’s Mixed Stance
During the summit, Trump described Meloni as “a nice person” and adopted a relatively softer tone regarding the meme. At the same time, he continued to criticise Italy, along with Germany and France, for not providing sufficient support to US military action against Iran.
Trump’s remarks reflected the broader theme of the summit — calls for increased defence spending and greater alliance unity — while also applying pressure on certain European partners.
Meloni’s Firm Stance and Comments on US Troops
Meloni refused to yield to any pressure. Her tone was calm but resolute, signalling that she would remain steadfast in her approach. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that Italy would no longer respond to Trump’s personal attacks and that the focus should remain on institutional relations between the two countries.
Trump had earlier raised the possibility of reducing the number of US troops in Europe and Italy, which had already sparked speculation. Meloni clarified in her post-summit address that Italy had not received any formal information regarding a possible withdrawal of US troops. She emphasised that no official communication or decision on the matter had been conveyed to Italy so far.
Meloni’s position received positive reactions in Italy and several other European countries. She also stressed the importance of Western unity and shared values.
Looking Ahead
While personal tensions between Trump and Meloni persist, both sides appear committed to preserving the broader alliance. Meloni’s strong statement and her clarity on the US troops issue signal that she intends to stay firm on her policy and will not allow personal attacks to overshadow institutional relations.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised alliance unity. The summit discussed key issues including defence spending, support for Ukraine, and transatlantic security.
