Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly rejected the idea of a "submissive Italy," emphasizing the necessity for her country to have a prominent role in global affairs. In an interview with The New York Times, Meloni expressed her ambition for Italy to be "seated at the table of those who set the direction," and highlighted her vision of a "revolution of pride" for the nation.

According to Anadolu Agency, Meloni's comments came amid discussions about her relationship with US President Donald Trump. Although Meloni and Trump have generally maintained a close rapport, recent tensions have surfaced. These arose after Trump criticized Pope Leo and allegedly suggested that Meloni had "begged" him for a photograph at the Group of Seven summit in France. Meloni noted that while she initially believed her interactions with Trump would be more straightforward due to their shared views on issues like immigration, the situation has evolved differently.

Meloni revealed that she had not communicated with Trump for several weeks, especially after she publicly responded to his criticism of the pope, which she considered a significant boundary. Despite this, Meloni underscored the importance of Western unity and clarified that Italy's strategy is not dictated by personal relationships.

In the interview, Meloni also emphasized the need for Italy to assert its influence on the global stage, calling for Italy to stop being "the spare wheel to France and Germany." She underscored the importance of stability as a foundation for progress, rather than a final goal. Reflecting on her journey to her current position, Meloni attributed her success to the courage to challenge conventional norms and take bold stances in history.