The day after the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, much of the global press seemed to echo Shakespeare: much ado about nothing. No dramatic announcement, no breakthrough peace deal. Anyone expecting a sudden ceasefire or a roadmap to peace was left disappointed.

But was it ever realistic to expect that? Diplomacy rarely moves at the speed of headlines. While journalism demands clarity, immediacy, and soundbites, geopolitics works in shadows, stages, and symbols.

The simple fact that Trump and Putin spoke face-to-face was already significant. Some commentators saw a symbolic win for Moscow – in the protocol, the posturing, the evasive answers. Others, particularly among Republican-leaning media, framed it as Trump’s victory: the host who forced the “Tsar” out of his bunker.

The truth is more nuanced. For Trump, it was a success: he managed to bring Putin into a diplomatic arena rather than a purely military one. For Putin, the strategy remains rigid. He buys time, refuses to concede on occupied territories, and leaves the path forward uncertain – to be played out in second and third rounds, including with Zelensky.

Yet one thing is clear: Putin cannot back away from this process without risking total isolation in a new global order and locking Russia into an unsustainable war economy. This alone makes the summit a turning point, however subtle.

There are still enormous knots to untie: rare earths in Donbass, Zelensky’s future, Ukraine’s status – buffer state, Russian satellite, or integrated into the EU and maybe even NATO. No single meeting could ever resolve this. The U.S. is in a hurry; Russia, which until yesterday was not, now feels the urgency too.

From a journalistic standpoint, the press conference fell flat: Putin’s silence – or arrogance – on key issues left little to headline. But these matters aren’t resolved in the language of political correctness or media cycles. They belong to the slow, opaque rhythm of international diplomacy.

And the ultimate goal, stripped of spin, remains the same: to stop people from dying and bring an end to the war. The sooner, the better. Otherwise, this “Alaskan Ferragosto” will remain nothing more than a good title for a film.

The post Journalism Wants Headlines. Diplomacy Moves in Shadows. appeared first on Good Morning Italy.

Italian newspapers, especially Corriere della Sera, were keen to highlight in their political pages a story that could almost be dismissed as gossip or lighthearted news. Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump had a conversation. Not in a formal bilateral meeting, as one might expect, but on the sidelines of the splendid dinner hosted by Macron in Paris following the inauguration of the “new” Notre Dame.

The table was still set, the glasses of what was undoubtedly excellent wine still within reach, according to the reports. Nevertheless, both Trump’s and Meloni’s staff were eager to let the world know that the two leaders spoke. About what? Ukraine, the Middle East, relations with Europe. In short, about the world and its future.

Some claim Giorgia possesses a charisma and conviviality reminiscent of Berlusconi in his prime. Where diplomacy falls short, personal empathy bridges the gap. Is that a small thing? Others argue that she is poised to become the key European leader in negotiations with the new American president, putting Italy in a position of significant prestige—far from the “isolated Italy” narrative that opposition parties have been shouting about since June.

Of course, empathy and proficiency in direct communication with leaders are not enough on their own to navigate the complexities of global issues. But Meloni also has a solid political foundation: she is the only leader of the EU’s founding countries enjoying political stability and relative economic steadiness—certainly better off than France, shaken by a government crisis, and Germany, grappling with both a government crisis and the automotive industry’s struggles.

To round off this fruitful gathering at Notre Dame, our Prime Minister also squeezed in a casual meeting with Elon Musk. It has been a year since the eccentric entrepreneur attended Atreju, the annual and now almost Christmas-like festival of Fratelli d’Italia. At the time, it was dismissed as a quirky technological event. But today, those who talk to Musk are engaging with the main player in The Donald’s victory.

In short: empathy, English fluency, and foresight!

The post Meloni Between Trump and Musk appeared first on Good Morning Italy.