Meloni and Trump signal thaw at G7 after Sigonella dispute

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former US President Donald Trump shared smiles and jokes at the G7 summit, signaling a thaw in their relationship after recent friction. The two leaders, who were once close political allies, engaged in reciprocal irony and banter, with diplomats working to convey the key message of "thaw" to observers.

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I was abandoned.

Meloni reportedly told Trump, "Don't be silly," while he responded, "I was abandoned." She intervened with fervor during G7 sessions, and Trump watched her, smiling, before his brow furrowed again. Despite the serious tone of G7 discussions, their afternoon interaction captured the attention of other leaders, including German Chancellor Merz and Portuguese Prime Minister Costa.

Palazzo Chigi confirmed that Trump had come to understand Italy's reasons for refusing to allow the use of a base in Sigonella for certain operations, a point of contention. This understanding fueled expectations of a rapprochement. The interaction between Meloni and Trump appeared to follow the model of a relationship that doesn't require intermediaries, similar to Mario Draghi's meeting with Joe Biden at a previous G7 summit.

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Don't be silly.

The reconciliation is underway, with the ice broken and past rust seemingly behind them. Their gestures and jokes confirmed this evolution, which now needs to be reinforced. Meloni is reportedly bringing up topics such as Trump's potential involvement in Ukrainian negotiations alongside Europeans, a cause she has championed for months. Trump confirmed this, arriving in Evian and referencing the "unity of the West," a consistent theme for the Italian premier.

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we have always been friends