Before downing coffee and locking horns over heavy geopolitical strategy, G7 world leaders shared a rare, lighthearted unscripted moment caught entirely on a live mic. While waiting for U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to arrive for their scheduled meeting in Évian-les-Bains, the room struck up a candid conversation about fashion and lifestyle choices.
After German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pointed out her bold new necktie, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni quickly responded, 'Yes, you can consider me a fighter.' The conversation shifted seamlessly to morning routines, with Meloni revealing she required heavy coffee because she quit smoking just a month ago—prompting UK PM Keir Starmer and European Council President Antonio Costa to swap their own stories of kicking the habit.
Meloni's unexpected admission came as a surprise to many in the room, as the Italian leader is known for her disciplined public image. The candid exchange highlighted a more personal side of the summit, where leaders often stick to scripted talking points. Starmer, who has been open about his own struggles with smoking, shared that he had quit several years ago, while Costa noted that he had recently given up the habit as well.
The moment was a brief respite from the intense discussions that followed, covering topics such as the war in Ukraine, global economic stability, and climate change. Observers noted that such informal interactions can help build trust and rapport among leaders, potentially easing negotiations on more contentious issues.
Meloni's revelation also sparked conversations about public health and smoking cessation, with several delegates expressing admiration for her willpower. The Italian PM later joked that she might need to take up a new hobby to replace the habit, perhaps something less stressful than international diplomacy.
