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Meloni Skips UNGA: Avoiding Trump After "Begging" Spat, Citing Packed Schedule
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News18•23-09-2026, 11:26
Meloni Skips UNGA: Avoiding Trump After "Begging" Spat, Citing Packed Schedule
- •Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was notably absent from the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, breaking a 15-year tradition of Italian PM attendance.
- •Meloni cited a "jam-packed schedule" and "several dossiers" to handle at home after attending six summits in three and a half weeks.
- •Her absence also meant avoiding a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump, following a public spat where Trump claimed she "begged" him for a photo at the G7 Summit.
- •Meloni strongly refuted Trump's claim, stating, "Neither I nor Italy ever beg," and remarked that "being your friend doesn’t help my popularity."
- •Tensions between the two leaders also arose after Meloni criticized US military action against Iran, calling it a dangerous trend outside international law, despite Italy being a key NATO ally.
Key Questions Answered
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni skipped the United Nations General Assembly due to a packed schedule, having attended six summits in three and a half weeks, and needing to handle several dossiers at home.
Meloni fired back after Trump claimed she had begged him for a photo at the G7 Summit, stating that being his friend does not help her popularity and asserting that neither she nor Italy ever begs.
Tensions surfaced after Meloni strongly criticized US military actions against Iran as being outside the scope of international law following US-Israeli strikes.
