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Tag: Giorgia Meloni

  • Trump Halts Planned Putin Summit, Cites Ongoing War Developments

    Trump Halts Planned Putin Summit, Cites Ongoing War Developments

    U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, saying he did not want to hold a “wasted” summit amid continuing uncertainty over the Ukraine war.

    The decision came just days after Trump announced the meeting, which was expected to take place within two weeks following what he described as a “productive” phone call with Putin about ending the conflict.

    Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said the planned talks were on hold. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting. I don’t want to have a waste of time, so I’ll see what happens,” he said. He added that “a lot of things are happening on the war front,” and further announcements would come “in the next two days.”

    A White House official later confirmed that “there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future,” despite the earlier announcement of a Budapest summit.

    The move followed tense discussions in Washington last Friday between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to a senior Ukrainian official, Trump pressured Zelensky to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia in exchange for peace — a proposal Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.

    The talks reportedly ended without progress after Trump refused Zelensky’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles and instead urged him to accept a ceasefire along current battle lines.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also canceled a scheduled meeting meant to prepare for the summit, the White House said.

    The Kremlin confirmed there was no “precise” date for a future Trump-Putin meeting, noting that their last encounter in Alaska in August ended without a breakthrough.

    European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and Britain’s Keir Starmer, issued a joint statement rejecting any deal that would see Ukraine give up territory. They expressed support for an immediate halt to fighting along current front lines but warned that “Russia is not serious about peace.”

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and has since left tens of thousands dead, with Moscow occupying roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, much of it devastated by the war.

  • Hundreds, Including Greta Thunberg, Detained In Gaza Flotilla

    Hundreds, Including Greta Thunberg, Detained In Gaza Flotilla

    Israeli forces have detained hundreds of activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, after intercepting a flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza.

    Israel’s Foreign Ministry said those on board the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were taken to the port of Ashdod and will be deported. Activists said around 443 people were detained, claiming many were assaulted with water cannons, though Israel said all detainees were “safe and in good health.”

    The boats were stopped both in international waters about 70 nautical miles from Gaza and closer to the coast. Israel said the flotilla was violating a lawful naval blockade by entering “an active combat zone.” The GSF called the interception “illegal” and a “brazen act of desperation.”

    Footage released by Israel showed Thunberg on the deck of a vessel receiving water and a jacket from Israeli personnel. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the government said.

    The incident has sparked international criticism. Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled Israeli diplomats, cancelled a trade deal, and demanded the release of two Colombian citizens detained in the flotilla, calling the interception an “international crime.”

    Amnesty International also condemned Israel, describing the Gaza blockade as “unlawful” and urging accountability for “decades-long impunity.”

    By contrast, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the flotilla organisers, arguing such actions do not help the Palestinian people.

    Israel has dismissed the flotilla as “provocation yachts,” saying its navy acted lawfully to prevent breaches of the blockade. It confirmed one boat remained at sea but warned it would be intercepted if it approached Gaza’s territorial waters.

    The GSF said the vessel, the Marinette, remained in international waters and in contact. Another boat, the Mikeno, may have entered Gaza’s territorial waters but has lost communication, according to the group’s tracking system.

  • Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detains Greta Thunberg

    Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detains Greta Thunberg

    Israeli forces have detained dozens of activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, after intercepting a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza in international waters.

    Israel’s Foreign Ministry said its navy stopped several vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) about 70 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast and redirected them to the port of Ashdod for deportation. Authorities described the mission as an attempt to breach a “lawful naval blockade” of Gaza.

    The GSF called the interceptions “illegal” and accused Israeli forces of ramming one boat and using water cannon on others. It described the actions as “a brazen act of desperation.”

    Footage released by Israel showed Thunberg sitting on a vessel’s deck as soldiers handed her water and a jacket. The ministry insisted the activists were “safe and healthy” but labelled the flotilla a “provocation.”

    The incident has drawn sharp international reactions. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the interception as a violation of international law, while Turkey’s foreign ministry described it as “terrorism.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled Israeli diplomats, cancelled a bilateral trade agreement, and demanded the release of two Colombians on board.

    In contrast, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the flotilla’s mission, arguing it brought “no benefit to the Palestinian people.” Ireland confirmed that seven of its citizens, including Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews, were among the detained. The UK said it had contacted Israel over British nationals involved.

    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza and allow “unhindered” humanitarian aid, warning that famine has been confirmed in the territory. Israel denies obstructing aid, accusing Hamas of diverting supplies.

    Public protests erupted in Greece, Italy, Germany, Tunisia, and Turkey following the interception. Italy’s largest trade union, CGIL, announced a nationwide strike in solidarity with Gaza.

    The flotilla, carrying more than 40 ships and about 500 people—including lawmakers, lawyers, and activists—departed Spain a month ago with the aim of delivering aid directly to Gaza. Israel previously blocked similar attempts in June and July.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected claims that Israel’s actions are causing famine in Gaza, calling such accusations “an outright lie.”