Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to apply the same decisive leadership that helped broker the Iran-Israel ceasefire to secure peace in Ukraine and Gaza. Her remarks came during the NATO Summit in The Hague on June 25, where leaders gathered to address escalating global conflicts and defense commitments.
“We Need the Same Determination,” Says Meloni
Meloni praised Trump’s role in halting the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, which followed U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and a retaliatory missile barrage from Tehran.
“I told President Trump we need the same determination to get two other important ceasefires—one in Ukraine, where Russia shows no signs of backing down, and one in Gaza,” she said.
NATO Unity and Defense Spending Boost
The summit saw all 32 NATO members agree to increase defense spending, aiming to reach 5% of GDP by 2035. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte lauded Trump as a “man of strength and peace,” crediting him for pushing Europe toward greater military self-reliance.
“You will achieve something no American president in decades could get done,” Rutte reportedly told Trump in a private message, later shared on social media.
Zelenskyy Meets Trump Amid Shifting U.S. Stance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Trump on the summit’s final day, amid growing concerns over waning U.S. support for Ukraine. This year’s NATO communiqué notably omitted direct blame on Russia for the war—unlike previous years—raising eyebrows among member states.
Meloni, a close Trump ally and the only European leader invited to his 2025 inauguration, emphasized the need for continued transatlantic unity:
“The alliance must remain strong and proactive, especially now.”
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