Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she is “dumbfounded” by remarks US President Donald Trump reportedly made in which he appeared to mock her.
According to Italian TV network La7, Mr Trump said the right-wing Italian leader “wanted a picture with me so badly” at the G7 summit earlier this week, and that he only agreed because he “felt sorry for her”.
He also suggested that Ms Meloni might be “happy that I talked to her, I didn’t have to talk to her”.
Ms Meloni took to X on Friday to firmly rebut the comment and assert: “Neither I nor Italy ever beg.”
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his own allies,” she said.
“I can only say that it’s a pity he doesn’t show the same determination with enemies of the West, with enemies of the United States, with leaders with whom, instead, he is far more accommodating.”
Italy’s foreign minister has since cancelled his trip to the US, due to take place Sunday and Monday, stating that: “The grave and offensive words of President Trump… offend the whole of Italy”.
Meanwhile, the first major test of the newly signed Iran peace agreement has hit an immediate hurdle as concerns over an inevitable spillover mount.
Swiss officials confirmed on Friday that discussions involving the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan had been delayed, just hours after US Vice President JD Vance confirmed his trip had been cancelled.
“The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed,” Switzerland’s foreign ministry said.
“Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing.”
No new date has been announced.
It comes as Donald Trump claimed that, contrary to all appearances, and indeed the substance of his agreement with Iran, he did in fact achieve his stated goal of “unconditional surrender” from the regime.
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Mr Trump said on day ten of the war, back in March.
Today he spoke to Axios reporter Marc Caputo, who brought up that demand.
“What have you learned about not just the exercise of power, but the limits on your power as a result of the conflict?” Mr Caputo asked.
“There are no limits,” was Mr Trump’s answer.
“No limits?” asked Mr Caputo.
“No, none,” said Mr Trump.
“I haven’t learned that lesson yet. I know there are. But you know, there are no limits. We defeated them totally, militarily.”
Mr Caputo pointed out that, “at the beginning of the conflict”, Mr Trump said he “only wanted unconditional surrender” from the Iranians.
“Weeeeeeell,” Mr Trump started to say.
“The memorandum doesn’t look like unconditional surrender,” the journalist noted.
“Well, it really probably is unconditional surrender,” Mr Trump claimed.
“It is?” asked Mr Caputo, somewhat incredulously.
“I think so,” said the President.
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