NATO Leaders to Meet in Ankara

NATO leaders are scheduled to meet in Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday. The gathering occurs as the alliance faces criticism from the U.S. president over members' reluctance to support the U.S. effort in Iran.

" The president added that the official was not wanted as a supporter because the official had not joined other NATO members in supporting U.S. operations related to the Strait of Hormuz. The Italian official responded that the comments were surprising and said it was "not the first time" the president had behaved poorly toward allies.

in the Relationship Tensions between the two leaders surfaced earlier this year when the U.S. president criticized European NATO members for not joining U.S. military action against Iran. The Italian official had previously called the president's criticism of Pope Leo XIV "unacceptable," prompting the president to say the president was "shocked" and had been wrong to think the official had courage.

Minister told reporters on Monday that the government had "no reaction" to the post and that its priority remained maintaining relations with the United States as a key ally. An opposition politician on X called the president a "despicable two-bit bully" and expressed solidarity with the Italian official.

Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are among those expected to attend.