Let's boost NATO's European component says Meloni after E5 meet (2)

In Italy, around 24 June 2026, Meloni said after the E5 meeting that NATO's European component should be boosted. Italy rebuked NATO's Rutte over his remarks on US use of bases in the Iran war, and Meloni phoned Rutte, calling his statements on the bases 'illogical, senseless', according to La Repubblica.

Corriere della Sera wrote that Meloni shelved the clash with Trump, saying relations with the US do not change. Euronews looked at what polls say about Meloni's popularity after the Meloni-Trump spat. Tagesschau wrote of another challenger for Meloni, and Corriere della Sera reported that Alemanno opened to Vannacci on leaving Rebibbia.