In a recent phone call to Corriere della Sera, former American President Donald Trump commended Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her leadership and Italy's decision to send naval assets to Cyprus in response to Iranian missile and drone attacks. Trump described Meloni as a great leader and a friend, expressing appreciation for Italy's proactive stance and Meloni's willingness to assist in the ongoing conflict. His supportive remarks mark a significant recognition of Italy's strategic role in regional security affairs.

Trump's comments followed the "Shield of the Americas" summit in Florida, where he gathered with Central and Latin American allies. As he prepared to fly to Dover for a solemn event honoring U.S. soldiers killed in the Middle East, he reaffirmed his view that Meloni is an excellent leader. This highlights Trump's ongoing interest in foreign policy matters and his evaluation of European leaders in the context of international challenges, particularly regarding U.S. relationships with NATO allies.

Furthermore, Trump’s remarks came alongside a dismissive comment directed at UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, implying that Starmer's contributions were insignificant in comparison to the U.S. and its allies' successes in the region. This juxtaposition illustrates Trump's tendency to weigh the influence of different political figures based on their alignment with American foreign policies and their effectiveness in addressing geopolitical issues, particularly those involving military and defense strategies.