Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded to US counterpart's reiterated claim that she repeatedly asked him for a photo together during the G7 conference, calling his statement "senseless, constant and unprovoked attacks" in an Instagram post on Saturday.
She denied US President Donald Trump's claims that she has a low level of popularity, stating that it is not contingent on her relationship with him.
"As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you," the Italian Head of State said.
She added that, her popularity within the country did not concern Trump and told him to shift his focus towards his own popularity.
"In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours," Meloni said.
US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly asked him for a photo together during the G7 conference, via a post on his social media platform 'Truth Social' on Saturday. He further claimed that Meloni was not faring well in terms of politics in Italy, attributing it to Italy's alleged inaction in stopping Iran from "getting hold of nuclear weapons."
ALSO READ: US, Italy Ties Turn Sour Over Trump's 'Begging' Jibe At Meloni; Top Diplomat Cancels Visit
"She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!)," the US head of state wrote in his post.
Trump also criticised the Meloni administration's refusal to allow US to use their air strips during its war with Iran, a decision that the latter attributed to the US allegedly not seeking prior authorisation in line with established protocol.
"She (Meloni) wouldn't even let us use Italy's landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called” NATO Allies," Trump said.
Meloni stated that her popularity depends on her ability to defend Italy's national interest, and claimed that that is "exactly" what she had always done.
"That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister," Meloni stated.
Trump claimed that Meloni was attempting to establish friendly relations with him to improve her approval ratings in Italy.
"Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her 'numbers up.' No thanks!!! " the US President wrote.
ALSO READ: 'Italy And I Never Beg': Giorgia Meloni Hits Out At Trump's G7 Photo Claim | Watch
Meloni had dismissed Trump's claims that she had "begged him for a picture" in the G7 meet, in a video posted to social media platform 'X' on Friday.
Meloni stated that Trump's remarks were "fully made up" and expressed her bewilderment with his comments, asking why the US' head of state would behave in such a fashion with regards to one of its allies.
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