As Washington prepared for another round of high-stakes diplomacy, European leaders touched down to weigh in on the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Among them were Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, joining a delegation supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Their trip came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s Friday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the U.S. president hoping to broker a path toward peace.
Meloni’s Side-Eye Moment Steals Attention
During a tense meeting in the East Room of the White House, cameras caught Meloni giving what some observers described as a “side-eye” toward Merz as he pressed Trump on the issue of a ceasefire.
Merz, joined later by French President Emmanuel Macron, urged the American president to consider a pause in hostilities as part of the larger negotiation process.
“Let’s try and put pressure on Russia, because the credibility of this effort depends on at least a ceasefire from the start of serious negotiations,” Merz told Trump, adding that a trilateral meeting should address this issue.
Meanwhile, Meloni’s reactions—her eyes darting in ways that drew attention—quickly became a talking point.
A Pattern of Dramatic Expressions
This wasn’t Meloni’s first moment under the camera’s scrutiny.
At last month’s G7 summit in Canada, she was caught rolling her eyes during a conversation with Macron.
A year earlier, she drew similar attention after President Joe Biden arrived late on the third day of G7 meetings.
At 48, Meloni has been Italy’s prime minister since October 2022, an unusually long tenure for the country’s leaders.
Known as a far-right conservative, she shares more political alignment with Trump than some of her European peers, adding another layer to the visual tension in the room.
Trump Praises Italy’s Young Leader
Despite the subtle drama, Trump showered Meloni with compliments during the table discussion.
“She’s served a long time for someone so young,” he said with a laugh, noting that Italian leaders typically don’t remain in office very long.
“You’ve lasted a long time. You’re going to be there a long time.” The friendly tone continued as the press was ushered out, mixing levity with diplomacy.
Lighthearted Moments as Press Departs
As reporters shouted questions toward Trump, Zelensky, and other leaders, Finnish President Alexander Stubb asked the U.S. president if he handled such press sessions every day. “All the time,” Trump replied.
Meloni jumped in dramatically, remarking, “But he loves it, he loves it,” while confessing her own discomfort with Italian media.
The conversation veered even lighter when Trump mentioned Stubb’s golf skills. Meloni chimed in, teasing, “I know, I know.
But he says you always win,” leaving a rare glimpse of humor amid the formal proceedings.
