Italian PM Meloni says she was ‘astonished’ by Trump claims that she ‘begged’ him for a photo - as it happened

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Another close Meloni ally and undersecretary in her office, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, also heavily criticised Trump's attack on the Italian PM.

It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude [Trump] is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe," he said in a statement quoted by Reuters.