Belgian defence minister Theo Francken has urged European leaders to maintain strong ties with US President Donald Trump, saying Europe will continue to rely on American military protection for another five to 10 years, while warning the US leader against targeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. His remarks come after Trump joked in a social media post that he would need a restraining order against Meloni, reigniting tensions following their awkward encounter at the G7 summit.

The post did not specify whether the President was calling for a restraining order against Meloni, but many people interpreted it that way. | World News

Trump attacks Meloni ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, posting a photo captioned 'A restraining order is needed', amid worsening US‑Italy ties. #EuropeNews

Trump's scathing jab dig is but the latest in the breakdown of their once friendly relationship following tensions this year over the war in Iran.

ROME, July 6 (Reuters) - Italy's defence minister stressed the importance of good transatlantic relations on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump again goaded erstwhile ally…

Last month, Meloni accused Trump of fabricating a story about her after the US president told an Italian TV channel that she had "begged" him to take a photo with her at a G7…

US president renews attack on Italian leader who was previously his most devoted European ally

Italy on Monday criticised US President Donald Trump's latest social media attack on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of this week's NATO summit.

"People come and go but relations must endure," Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told the news channel Sky TG24.

Italian ministers on Monday criticised US President Donald Trump's latest social media attack on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of this week's NATO summit.

Italy on Monday criticized US President Donald Trump’s latest social media attack on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of this week’s NATO summit.Trump

Italy's deputy prime minister and defence minister have urged calm after US President Donald Trump posted a mocking photo of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Truth Social,…

US President Donald Trump has reignited his public feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after posting a viral "Restraining Order Needed" image on Truth Social just…

Ties between the two NATO leaders were strained after the US President claimed that the Italian Prime Minister had “begged” him for a photo at the G7 summit | World News

President Donald Trump posted a Truth Social post mocking Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday, reigniting a feud between the two leaders.

President Donald Trump on Sunday revived his dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after sharing an inflammatory post about her on social media.

The US president again provoked the Italian leader who was previously his most devoted European ally, ahead of this week’s NATO summit.

Belgium is one of the EU’s defense laggards and can’t afford to anger the U.S. president, but Theo Francken draws the line at his attacks on the Italian PM.

Belgian defence minister Theo Francken has urged European leaders to maintain strong ties with US President Donald Trump, saying Europe will continue to rely on American military…

The NATO summit in Turkey will bring Trump face to face with Giorgia Meloni, once dubbed Europe’s 'Trump whisperer,' after weeks of insults, accusations and an Italian decision to…

Senior Italian government officials have urged restraint after US President Donald Trump shared a mocking image targeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on social media,…