Italy’s Meloni responds to Trump, urges focus on domestic approval ratings

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has advised US President Donald Trump to focus on his own approval ratings rather than commenting on Italian politics.

In a post on Instagram, Meloni responded after Trump suggested that she would not succeed in improving her popularity by trying to re-establish close ties with the United States.

“President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy's national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done,” she wrote.

The Italian prime minister also addressed Trump’s criticism regarding the alleged denial of access for US aircraft to Italian military bases during operations against Iran.

Meloni said the use of such bases is governed by existing agreements that Rome has consistently respected.

By Jeyhun Aghazada