Meloni Avoids Eye Contact with Trump

As U.S. President Donald Trump walked toward her, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni turned her head in the opposite direction. After Trump passed in front of her and took a few steps, she returned her gaze to the front. The entire moment during the routine photo session at the NATO Summit in Ankara was reportedly an effort to avoid making eye contact with Trump.

During their previous meeting, Trump had claimed that “Meloni begged to have a photo taken with me,” while the Italian prime minister responded: “Neither I nor Italy beg anyone.”

Given their previously close relationship—Meloni was even nicknamed “the leader who whispers into Trump’s ear”—there was considerable curiosity over how the two leaders would interact in Ankara.

Tensions between the two reportedly escalated further after Trump shared a social media post about Meloni stating that “a restraining order is needed.”

Meloni’s late arrival at the summit, after Trump and other leaders, also drew attention. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally welcomed NATO member state leaders and their spouses one by one. After Erdoğan entered the venue together with Trump, Meloni arrived at the Presidential Complex and was received at the entrance by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.

Photo: Hürriyet