Key facts
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed no regrets about her efforts to build ties with U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Meloni cited a belief in Western unity as the driver for her political investment in Trump.
- She acknowledged current strains but noted shared ground on immigration and opposition to 'woke culture'.
- At a NATO summit, Trump described Meloni as 'a nice person' but criticized her Iran policy.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated she has no regrets about her efforts to cultivate a close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, despite recent public disagreements. Meloni, once considered a close European ally of Trump, has faced criticism from him in recent months.
Responding to a question at the end of a NATO summit in Ankara about whether she had second thoughts on the political capital invested in Trump, Meloni said, "No, I absolutely don't regret anything I've done." She explained her investment was based on a belief in Western unity, a strategy applied to all counterparts.
Meloni acknowledged current strains between her and Trump but stressed shared ground on issues like immigration and opposition to 'woke culture.' Trump's criticism of Meloni began in April after she rebuked him for attacking Pope Leo. In March, Italy denied landing permission for U.S. military aircraft at the Sigonella air base.
At the NATO summit, Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone, calling Meloni 'a nice person,' while still reiterating criticism of her support for military actions against Iran.