FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiThe US president has posted a photo of himself with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Truth Social with the caption "We need a restraining order," reigniting their feud. The post comes just ahead of a NATO summit, adding to tensions between Washington and Rome at a delicate moment for the alliance.
US President Donald Trump has published on his social network Truth a photo showing him with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, just ahead of the important NATO summit in Ankara, scheduled for July 7 and 8.
The photo, published on Sunday at 10:51 p.m., a day after the July 4th celebrations, shows Meloni with Trump from behind, during the G7 summit in Evian.
The caption "A restraining order is required" appears above the image.
This action is considered another direct attack on the Italian prime minister, after several days of tensions between Rome and Washington.
After the Evian summit, Trump claimed that Meloni had asked him for a photo together. The Italian Prime Minister responded to the accusation in a video on social media, saying: "Italy and I never ask."
The US president's move further increases tension ahead of the NATO summit, which begins tomorrow afternoon in Ankara. The meeting is being awaited with great interest, as it will bring together the heads of state and government of the Alliance's member countries. The focus of the discussions will be the future of NATO, at a time when its cohesion is being tested.
For weeks, experts and diplomatic representatives of governments have been working to avoid a clash over the key issue: how much each country should contribute to common defense.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the summit was “built to go well.” According to him, commitments will be respected and each country will present itself with concrete steps in the direction it had promised.
The main issue for European countries remains the target of raising defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. Crosetto said he does not see any more problems than at the last summit and predicted the meeting to be short, lasting three or four hours.
However, he acknowledged that one unpredictable factor remains, Trump's stance.
"What Trump will do, we'll see," Crosetto said.
The US president is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara on Wednesday. In recent weeks, Trump has criticized some European partners for what he sees as insufficient cooperation in the fight against Iran.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has tried to ease tensions, although he sparked controversy with a statement about the use of Italian bases by the United States.
Rutte has called on NATO member countries not to be satisfied with just increasing defense budgets, but to quickly turn the new funds into effective weapons and more capable armed forces.
According to him, a year ago it was mainly about promises to increase spending, while now concrete results are required. These are precisely the results that Trump is also seeking, and he is expected to show little harmony with the Italian prime minister after the publication of the photo and the return of the accusation that she had persistently sought a photo opportunity with him at the G7 summit.
Despite the US president's recent statements, American media reports that he may be increasing pressure to favor the US arms industry. However, European countries, including Italy, are aware that they will have to do more for their defense.
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