Courage is needed to speak out: Italian PM responds to criticism from Trump
Photo: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Getty Images)
Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, responded to criticism from US President Donald Trump. Meloni emphasized that courage means telling the truth to friends and acting in the interests of one’s country and Europe, Euronews informs.
The statement by Giorgia Meloni came in response to remarks by Donald Trump. Earlier, the US president accused her of "lack of courage" because Italy refused to join US efforts to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
She said that the situation in the world required efforts to launch peace negotiations and to do everything possible to stabilize the situation and restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that this was extremely important not only in terms of fuel but also fertilizers, which she described as one of the most important resources.
In effect, Meloni demonstrated something very unpleasant for Trump. The Italian prime minister, once considered a like-minded ally of Trump, made it clear that relations between Rome and Washington are not limited to relations with the current US administration alone.
She added that every effort was being made, given that the US remained one of Italy’s most important strategic allies, but stressed that, when such friends and allies are involved, the courage to speak out when disagreement arises must be shown.
Trump lashes out at Meloni
Recently, Trump, in an interview with Italian media, lashed out at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for refusing to assist the Americans in an operation against Iran.
"Do people like that? I can’t imagine it. I’m shocked by her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong," he said.
As early as late March, the media reported that Italy had closed its airspace to US aircraft heading to strike Iran. Previously, Meloni had often been described as one of Trump’s key allies in Europe, and the two leaders maintained relatively good relations.
