La Repubblica: Meloni keeps cool, declines to escalate dispute with Trump

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni does not intend to publicly respond to criticism from US President Donald Trump and prefers to act through diplomatic channels, La Repubblica reports.

Italian diplomatic services have intensified contacts with Washington, including through Italy’s embassy in the United States and talks between Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. US Vice President JD Vance is also seen as a possible intermediary to help ease tensions, the newspaper added.

The escalation was triggered by Trump’s criticism of Meloni following her remarks related to statements involving Pope Leo XIV. The US president had previously expressed “disappointment” with the Italian prime minister and accused European leaders of insufficient support for US initiatives, including on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

Meloni has chosen not to escalate the dispute, counting on a diplomatic resolution amid a sensitive political context in Italy and upcoming elections, according to La Repubblica.

By Jeyhun Aghazada