Arabic version: ميلوني تنفي مزاعم ترامب حول طلب الصورة في قمة مجموعة السبع

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly refuted claims made by US President Donald Trump that she ‘begged’ him for a photo during the recent G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. In an interview, Trump suggested that he felt sorry for Meloni and indicated he would not have taken the photo if not for her insistence.

According to ABC News, Meloni expressed her astonishment at Trump’s remarks, labeling them as ‘completely made up.’ She criticized his behavior towards allies, stating that he shows more deference to adversaries of the West.

The fallout from Trump’s comments has been swift, with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceling an upcoming trip to the United States, citing Trump’s ‘grave and offensive words’ as an affront to Italy.

Meloni, once a close ally of Trump and the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025, has since distanced herself from him, particularly following disagreements over the war in Iran. This latest incident marks a notable decline in their relationship, which had recently shown signs of improvement during the G7 summit.