Meloni Can’t Hide Her Eye Rolls While Merz Discusses Putin–Zelenskyy Possible Meeting
During a high-stakes White House summit on August 18, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni became the unintended star of the show, not for her diplomatic contributions but for her expressive eye rolls. The meeting, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, brought together European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to discuss peace prospects in the Russia-Ukraine war. However, it was Meloni’s candid reaction to Merz’s remarks that captured global attention and sparked a viral moment online.
The Context of the Summit
The White House meeting aimed to address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with discussions focusing on security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial exchanges, and the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. Trump emphasized a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy as a key step toward a "full peace deal," while Merz advocated for an immediate ceasefire and pressure on Russia to facilitate negotiations. European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, expressed support for Ukraine’s security, with Rutte calling U.S. involvement a "breakthrough."
Meloni’s Viral Eye Roll
As Merz spoke about the importance of a ceasefire, cameras caught Meloni rolling her eyes, a moment described as “priceless” and “iconic” across social media. The gesture appeared to convey frustration or disagreement, with some interpreting it as Meloni signaling, “Come on, Merz, that’s not what we agreed.” Posts on X amplified the moment, with users like @MumbaichaDon noting, “Her iconic eye-roll — her face louder than words,” suggesting Meloni was unimpressed with Merz’s focus on a ceasefire over a comprehensive peace agreement.
This wasn’t Meloni’s first viral eye roll. Just two months earlier, at the G7 summit in Canada, she made headlines for a similar reaction during a whispered conversation with Macron, highlighting her tendency to wear her emotions on her sleeve.
What Sparked the Reaction?
While the exact reason for Meloni’s eye roll remains speculative, reports suggest it stemmed from a divergence in strategy. Merz’s insistence on a ceasefire and sanctions pressure on Russia contrasted with Trump’s push for direct Putin-Zelenskyy talks aimed at a broader resolution. Meloni, who has been vocal about supporting Ukraine while advocating for peace, reportedly aligned more with Trump’s approach. Her expressive reaction likely reflected frustration with Merz’s deviation from the agreed-upon focus on a full peace deal.
In her remarks at the summit, Meloni praised Trump’s peacekeeping efforts and highlighted Italy’s role in global security, including support from Elon Musk’s Starlink on the battlefield. Her diplomatic stance was further underscored by her use of a “namaste” gesture to greet U.S. officials, a nod to Indian etiquette that also drew attention online.
The Internet’s Reaction
Meloni’s eye roll quickly became a social media sensation. Clips shared on platforms like YouTube and X garnered millions of views, with captions like “HOLY S—- — The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, just ROLLED her eyes after chuckling at Trump’s joke.” Commenters speculated on her thoughts, with one stating, “She’s thinking, ‘He’s such a fool,’” while others saw it as a humorous critique of Merz’s lecturing tone. The moment was juxtaposed with Meloni’s earlier G7 eye roll, cementing her reputation as a leader whose facial expressions speak volumes.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the viral moment, the summit highlighted the complexities of achieving peace in Ukraine. Trump’s call with Putin during the meeting, which lasted 40 minutes, signaled progress toward arranging a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting within two weeks. Zelenskyy expressed readiness for unconditional talks, while European leaders emphasized security guarantees and territorial integrity. However, Merz’s ceasefire proposal and his comparison of Russia’s demands to the U.S. giving up Florida drew skepticism, with some, like Russian commentator Marina Akhmedova, questioning its practicality.
Meloni’s eye roll, while humorous, underscored underlying tensions among European leaders. Her reaction reflected the challenge of aligning diverse perspectives on a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives weekly, as Trump noted during the summit.
Conclusion
Giorgia Meloni’s eye roll at the White House summit may have stolen the headlines, but it also highlighted the high stakes and differing approaches in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks. As leaders navigate the path to a potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, Meloni’s candid moment serves as a reminder that diplomacy is as much about human dynamics as it is about policy. Whether her eye roll was a fleeting expression of frustration or a calculated signal, it has cemented her as a figure who can’t hide her true feelings—even on the world stage.
