Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has downplayed US President Donald Trump's latest social media provocation targeting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, declaring that “People come and go but relations must endure.” Speaking to Sky TG24, Crosetto stressed that maintaining strong ties with the United States remains a fundamental priority for Italy as a key ally.
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The comments come days before NATO leaders gather for the summit in Ankara, where alliance members are preparing major commitments on Ukraine support and defense burden-sharing. European NATO partners and Canada are set to pledge approximately €70 billion in annual military aid to Ukraine for this year and next, combining EU financing with national contributions.
This latest exchange follows earlier friction after the G7 summit, when Trump claimed Meloni had “begged” for a photo — allegations she called senseless. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also sought to reassure partners, stating that transatlantic relations go well beyond individual comments.
As the Ankara summit approaches, discussions on alliance strategy and ending the conflict in Ukraine are taking center stage. President Trump has expressed a desire to halt the “senseless killing” following recent deadly attacks on Kyiv, emphasizing a humanitarian push for a negotiated peace.
For the latest developments on NATO’s Ukraine commitments at the Ankara summit, see our detailed coverage here: Ukraine Backers Pledge €70 Billion NATO Support at Ankara Summit. For broader context on President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, read: Donald Trump Pushes to End 'Senseless Killing' in Ukraine After Deadly Kyiv Attack.
Reports from AFP, Reuters, and Italian outlets including Sky TG24 confirm Italy’s consistent focus on preserving enduring transatlantic and NATO relationships amid shifting political dynamics. The emphasis remains on long-term alliance stability rather than fleeting personal exchanges.
AFP reports: Italy on Monday criticized US President Donald Trump’s latest social media attack on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of this week’s NATO summit.
Trump on Sunday published a doctored image on his Truth Social platform showing Meloni looking at him as if adoringly in a post accompanied by the words: “Restraining Order Needed.”
“People come and go but relations must endure,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the news channel Sky TG24.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also said he was “sure that transatlantic relations go well beyond individual comments.”
Meloni did not respond personally.
She was targeted by Trump last month after the G7 summit where he said that Meloni had “begged” him for a photo opportunity and that he only agreed because he “felt sorry for her.”
He also accused Meloni of trying to repair relations with Washington for domestic political reasons after Italy failed to support US action against Iran.
“These constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless,” she said at the time.
“Being your friend certainly has not helped” her popularity, she said, adding: “I suggest you focus on yours.”
Far-right leader Meloni had positioned herself as a European leader able to mediate between Europe and Trump but has increasingly distanced herself from him.
Trump has been highly critical of European NATO countries ahead of this week’s meeting in Ankara of the 32-country alliance.