US President Donald Trump appeared to ease tensions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the NATO summit in Ankara, signaling a more positive approach after weeks of public disagreements between the two leaders.
The diplomatic rift began after Trump claimed in an interview with an Italian television channel that Meloni had asked him for a photo during the G7 Summit, saying he only agreed because he “felt sorry for her.” The Italian prime minister firmly rejected the accusation, describing it as completely false. Trump later repeated his claims, extending the dispute and drawing widespread international attention.
The disagreement intensified when Trump shared an edited image of Meloni on his Truth Social platform with the caption “Restraining Order Needed,” creating further controversy and fueling political debate across Europe.
However, speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, Trump adopted a noticeably softer tone.
“I think she’s a nice person, actually,” Trump told reporters. He acknowledged that relations had become strained but suggested the disagreement was mainly linked to Italy’s decision not to support US efforts in the Strait of Hormuz during the recent regional conflict involving Iran.
Trump explained that he was disappointed because Italy chose not to participate in operations connected to the Hormuz Strait, an issue he believes required stronger support from European allies. Despite his criticism, he emphasized that he still respected Meloni personally.
The comments came as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara to discuss regional security, defense cooperation, and growing geopolitical challenges. Trump also repeated his long standing criticism of several European NATO members, arguing they should contribute more toward collective defense and international security efforts.
Although differences remain over foreign policy, Trump’s latest remarks suggest both leaders may be seeking to move beyond the recent diplomatic tensions and focus on broader cooperation within the NATO alliance.
