Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a firm and unexpected wa ing to Vladimir Putin during high-level talks at the White House, stunning President Trump and other leaders with what appeared to be a sharp U-tu in Italy’s stance. Declaring “Italy stands with Ukraine,” Meloni reaffirmed her country’s commitment to supporting Kyiv, while cautioning that “Russia should not be rewarded for aggression.” Her remarks reportedly caught Trump off guard, injecting new energy—and new tensions—into the already high-stakes discussions on the future of the war.

In the high-octane corridors of global diplomacy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took the spotlight by greeting a senior aide to US President Donald Trump with a “Namaste” as she arrived for high-level talks at the White House on Monday.

The gesture, palms pressed together with a slight bow, stood out in a setting where formal handshakes and brief nods are the norm. It was a subtle but deliberate move, drawing attention amid a meeting centred on Ukraine’s long-term security and Western cohesion.

A video of the same has gone viral on social media with netizens calling it the ‘Modi effect’.

This was not Meloni’s first use of the traditional Indian greeting. She previously made headlines in June 2024 for greeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a Namaste during the G7 summit in Italy.

Monday’s meeting in Washington brought together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump, and several European leaders. At the center of discussions: how to provide Ukraine with credible long-term defense guarantees without triggering direct confrontation with Russia.

Meloni, during the meeting, advocated for collective defense protections for Ukraine modeled on NATO’s Article 5, despite Ukraine remaining outside the alliance. She stated that the proposal is intended to secure Ukraine’s future without triggering formal NATO accession — a key concern for Russia.

“The unity of the West is our strongest tool for peace,” Meloni said, noting that Italy’s proposal for “Article 5-inspired” guarantees had gained traction among allies and had become part of the broader diplomatic framework under discussion.