The Italian Prime Minister, rejecting the claims made about his relations with the US President, emphasized that although he does not have an anti-American approach, he will not surrender to Donald Trump and that relations between allies must be based on openness and mutual respect.
Publish dateThursday 2 July 2026 - 09:38
Story Code : 359472
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in response to the recent rumors surrounding her relations with US President Donald Trump, announced that she is not anti-American, but she will not "kneel" to Trump either.
According to ISNA, Meloni said in an interview with an Italian media outlet: "I am not anti-American, but I will not kneel before Donald Trump either. I believe that the West will be stronger when it remains united, but strong relations between allies must be based on openness and honesty, and I have always been a straightforward and forthright person."
"I was blunt yesterday and I am blunt today. I certainly will not allow anyone to disrespect me, just as I do not disrespect anyone."
The Italian prime minister also responded to speculation about a video released at the G7 summit that showed him scolding or admonishing Trump, denying the claims.
"I was not referring to him; I was just talking. Everyone knows I use a lot of hand gestures when I talk," Meloni said.
Meloni's comments come after Trump had previously claimed that the Italian prime minister had "begged" him to take a photo with him during the G7 summit, after tensions between the two sides escalated.
The US president repeated the claim a few days later in a message on the social network Truth Social.
Trump also criticized Meloni's performance in Italy, claiming that he had performed poorly in governing the country despite his level of popularity.
According to ISNA, Meloni said in an interview with an Italian media outlet: "I am not anti-American, but I will not kneel before Donald Trump either. I believe that the West will be stronger when it remains united, but strong relations between allies must be based on openness and honesty, and I have always been a straightforward and forthright person."
"I was blunt yesterday and I am blunt today. I certainly will not allow anyone to disrespect me, just as I do not disrespect anyone."
The Italian prime minister also responded to speculation about a video released at the G7 summit that showed him scolding or admonishing Trump, denying the claims.
"I was not referring to him; I was just talking. Everyone knows I use a lot of hand gestures when I talk," Meloni said.
Meloni's comments come after Trump had previously claimed that the Italian prime minister had "begged" him to take a photo with him during the G7 summit, after tensions between the two sides escalated.
The US president repeated the claim a few days later in a message on the social network Truth Social.
Trump also criticized Meloni's performance in Italy, claiming that he had performed poorly in governing the country despite his level of popularity.
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