Speculations about Putin's arrival in the US were fueled by the Washington Post, suggesting that Donald Trump intended to host the Russian president in Miami.
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Although official invitations have not yet been issued, representatives of the American administration remind that Russia remains a member of the G20 group. Trump himself tones down the mood, claiming that he knows nothing about the invitation, although he remains “open to talks with anyone.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said evasively that Putin “may go, but he can also send a deputy.” However, experts doubt that the Russian leader would decide to fly to the USA in the current political situation.
“It's time to demand it.”
The issue of Putin's presence dominated the behind-the-scenes talks during the European Union summit in Cyprus. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, quoted by the daily “Il Messaggero”, took an uncompromising position on this matter. In her opinion, the West has already exhausted its limit of unilateral gestures of goodwill.
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— I believe that this is the moment when we should demand that Putin take a step forward, not us asking him. We and the Americans have taken several steps forward in recent months, but on the other hand we have not seen similar gestures. It's time to demand it – said the head of the Italian government.
Crisis between Meloni and Trump?
Giorgia Meloni has so far been considered one of Trump's closest allies in Europe. Recently, however, their relationship has rapidly cooled down. The conflict between the US president and Pope Leo XIV became a bone of contention, in which Meloni sided with the Vatican.
Trump did not hide his disappointment, attacking the Italian prime minister for her lack of support in the US-Israel war with Iran. Meloni admits that she has not spoken to the host of the White House since then and has not taken steps to “repair” the relationship, although she emphasizes that the alliance with the US remains the foundation of security.
