Meloni Slams Trump's 'Made Up' Claims She Begged for Photo as EU Leaders Clash on Defence Spending and Migration

Brussels, Belgium / Rome, Italy – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has hit back at Donald Trump after the US president claimed she "begged" him for a photo at the G7 summit, saying she was "astonished" by the "completely made up" remarks as a new transatlantic drama unfolds alongside intense EU budget negotiations in Brussels.

In an interview with Italian broadcaster La7, Trump reportedly said: "She begged me to take a picture with her! She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her."

Meloni immediately took to social media to respond, posting a short video clip and saying "neither I nor Italy ever beg" anyone for anything. The Italian PM said she was "astonished" by the claims.

"I don't know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time. I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence."

'Neither I Nor Italy Ever Beg'

Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto reacted to the crisis in relations with the US, posting on X: "I can't imagine @GiorgiaMeloni asking anyone for a photo, not even under threat."

He said that comments like Trump's "do not good to anyone: neither the US, nor Italy," or the transatlantic alliance.

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also cancelled his planned trip to the US in response to the remarks. "The serious and offensive words of president Trump towards prime minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June," he said on X.

Czech Republic Misses Defence Spending Target

Despite intense focus on the need to increase defence spending and growing warnings from the US, the Czech Republic is set to miss its 2% target again, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed.

Babiš's government cut this year's original defence spending plan to around 1.7-1.8% GDP. "Our government will not meet 2% of GDP for defence either," Babiš said in a post on Facebook. "We have to put public finances in order first."

19 EU States Call for Offshore Deportation Hubs

A majority of EU member states have called for "full use" of new possibilities for offshore deportation hubs for people with no right to stay in the bloc. In a letter organised by Denmark's Mette Frederiksen and Italy's Giorgia Meloni, 19 member states urged action in setting up return hubs in other countries "as soon as possible."

The letter addressed to heads of EU institutions and EU leaders calls for support for the member states to set up return hubs, including financial support. UN agencies, including the UN refugee agency and the International Organisation for Migration, are also asked to engage.

Several big member states are conspicuous by their absence from the letter: France, Germany, and Spain.

EU Leaders Back Ukraine: The 'Magyar Effect'

After a long, long night in Brussels, EU leaders have signed off on a joint statement of support for Ukraine – the first signed off by all 27 member states since March 2025. The shift is being called the "Magyar effect" after Péter Magyar, the new Hungarian prime minister, who replaced the infamously obstructive Viktor Orbán.

The statement reads fairly similarly to that issued by the G7 earlier this week, siding with Ukraine and calling on Russia to engage with the peace process.

"Having failed to achieve its military and strategic objectives, Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. The European Council urges Russia to show genuine willingness regarding peace, agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace."

The EU remains determined to "further increase pressure on Russia and continue weakening Russia's war economy."

Merz: EU 'Must Not' Take More Debt

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sought to set the tone for discussions on the bloc's new 2028-2034 budget, opposing a proposed increase in spending. Arriving for day two of the talks, Merz said the EU should "not move into further indebtedness," AFP reported. "We must not do that."

The political talks on the budget are expected to take several months, with agriculture emerging as a key sticking point. Some countries are unhappy with the proposed allocation for farming subsidies.

France Detains Man on Spying Charges

French authorities have detained and charged a Belarus-born man on suspicion of spying for Russia on a French drone manufacturer, the Paris prosecutor's office said. AFP reported that the 48-year-old was arrested on 3 June "while filming a drone prototype belonging to a company that supplies the French and Ukrainian armed forces." France's domestic intelligence agency found he "allegedly sent a video to a contact in Russia."

Martin Congratulates Burnham on UK Byelection Win

Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Andy Burnham on his byelection win in the UK, saying it showed "what is possible, despite all of the fragmentation and challenges in modern politics." The byelection was closely watched by European leaders as they consider if there could be a leadership challenge in the UK this summer.

Martin also said he was looking forward to the UK-EU summit scheduled for July, expressing hope for progress on trade, energy, and youth exchange programmes.