Biden Greets Leaders Before Summit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s exasperation was on full display Thursday morning as she and other world leaders waited for President Biden and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to commence the third day of the NATO summit. The delay, stretching past the scheduled 10 a.m. start time, seemed to test Meloni’s patience visibly.
As she spoke with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Meloni’s dramatic eye roll and exaggerated glance at the ceiling conveyed her frustration. At one point, she gestured to her wrist to indicate the absence of a watch, a clear signal of her awareness of the ticking clock. Another person in their conversation group checked the time on his phone, prompting another eye roll and scowl from Meloni, who then appeared to notice the cameras capturing her reactions.
Giorgia Meloni on top eye-rolling form as leaders at the @Nato summit wait for Stoltenberg and Biden to arrive for today’s first session pic.twitter.com/0lczOywwav
— Henry Foy (@HenryJFoy) July 11, 2024
The moment didn’t go unnoticed, with a Financial Times reporter commenting on Meloni’s “top eye-rolling form” on X, formerly known as Twitter. Biden and Stoltenberg eventually opened the day’s proceedings around 10:40 a.m., nearly 40 minutes behind schedule. Biden had left the White House roughly 20 minutes after the summit was set to begin, adding to the delay.
In addition to the late start, the White House rescheduled Biden’s anticipated solo press conference to 6:30 p.m., further altering the day’s agenda.
NEW: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni seemed uncomfortable after President Biden went in for a smooch earlier today at the NATO Summit.
Meloni was seen arching her back away from Biden as he continued to lean in.
The PM made headlines earlier in the day after she was seen rolling… pic.twitter.com/J0FmPJG5jk
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 12, 2024
This wasn’t the first instance of Biden keeping Meloni waiting. Last month, during the G7 meeting in Italy’s Puglia region, Biden was the last to arrive, prompting an awkward exchange where he saluted Meloni upon his arrival. “You shouldn’t leave a woman waiting like this,” Meloni reportedly quipped, attempting to lighten the situation with humor.
Moment: On the first day of the G7 summit on Friday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni jokingly scolded US President Biden for letting her wait. pic.twitter.com/fqy22S4Kde
— DW News (@dwnews) June 15, 2024
The G7 meeting also saw another notable moment when Meloni had to guide Biden back to a skydiving demonstration after he wandered off to speak with an officer packing a parachute, missing part of the display.