Meloni on Trump after NATO summit: 'I don't regret it. There are affinities, including on migrants'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared she has no regrets about her political engagement with Donald Trump, emphasizing that her "only compass is the national interest." Speaking after a NATO summit in Ankara, Meloni stated that her political investment was driven by a conviction in Western unity, a stance not solely dependent on Trump but consistent across her interactions.

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My only compass is the national interest, it always has been, I regret nothing of what I have done. I am not changing strategy.

Meloni highlighted "affinities" with Trump on issues ranging from immigration to what she termed "woke culture," asserting that her strategy remains unchanged despite the evolving political landscape. She confirmed that Italy intends to respect its defense spending commitments to NATO, but stressed the importance of doing so "sustainably," dictating its own timelines, methods, and priorities. Meloni insisted that these defense investments "must remain in Italy, in our factories, in our research, in our territories," thereby generating more security alongside skilled jobs and research, rather than simply allocating funds abroad.

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With Trump there are affinities, from immigration to woke culture.

Addressing the broader context of the NATO summit, Meloni described the alliance as "united and determined to strengthen itself," acknowledging the challenges it faces. She stated that Italy shares these objectives and presented a concrete vision of security that extends beyond geopolitical balances to encompass the daily lives of citizens. Italy, she noted, presented itself at the summit having invested 2.8% of its GDP in defense and security, positioning itself as a "credible ally" by providing more personnel for missions than any other nation.

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We want to respect the commitments on Defense spending, we are doing it and we will do it. But sustainably, establishing our own timelines, methods and priorities.

While the article briefly touches upon "terrible news" from Iran, the focus remains on Meloni's assessment of the NATO summit and her bilateral relationship with Trump. She indicated that the cordial dinner with Trump contrasted with earlier tensions, and that while she did not applaud his speech, Trump himself seemed buoyed by the "love" of other allies. Meloni maintained her reserved stance on the specifics of their interactions, filtering little beyond her core political positions.

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these investments must remain in Italy, in our factories, in our research, in our territories, therefore more security, but also more qualified work, more research and not checks abroad.