Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Away from formal speeches and carefully crafted statements on conflicts, future of the global economy and some of the most difficult issues, hot microphones captured world leaders chatting about cigarettes, football, birthday gifts, and even trading a few jokes at G7 Summit in France.
Between handshakes, photo opportunities and closed-door negotiations, the summit’s microphones captured a side of conversation that rarely makes it into official communiques.
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One of the most talked-about moments involved Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
As leaders prepared for another day of meetings, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz casually asked whether she had already smoked a cigarette that morning. Meloni’s answer caught several leaders by surprise.
She revealed that she had not smoked “since the first of May.”
It sparked an immediate round of congratulations from leaders seated around the table. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and European Union officials all joined in applauding her effort.
Clearly enjoying the moment, Meloni raised both hands in celebration.
Carney then jokingly asked, “Do you have a patch?” while pointing towards his arm, drawing laughter from those nearby.
FOOTBALL FINDS ITS WAY INTO THE SUMMIT
Even at a summit focused on geopolitics, football found its way into the discussion.
With the FIFA World Cup currently being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, leaders slipped easily into sports talk during informal conversations. As they gathered for lunch overlooking Lake Geneva, voices could be heard celebrating football success.
“Allez les bleus!” someone shouted, cheering on France’s national team.
Another leader praised Paris Saint-Germain’s recent Champions League triumph.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed admiration for Cape Verde’s surprising 0-0 draw against reigning world champions Spain.
“Quite remarkable, I have to say,” Starmer said.
US President Donald Trump steered part of the conversation toward a different sport altogether.
Fresh from hosting a UFC event on the White House grounds for his 80th birthday celebrations, Trump was heard speaking enthusiastically about UFC president Dana White.
TRUMP’S MYSTERIOUS GREENLAND COMMENT
One brief exchange quickly became one of the summit’s biggest talking points.
During a conversation with European Council President António Costa, Trump was picked up on a microphone making a cryptic reference.
“You understand?” Trump said.
After a brief pause, he looked directly at Costa and added:
“Greenland.”
The rest of the conversation was not audible.
The cryptic comment immediately drew attention because of Trump’s long-standing interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. The proposal has repeatedly angered European leaders in recent years.
What exactly Trump meant remains unclear.
MACRON’S WATCH GOES MISSING
Even world leaders occasionally lose track of time — quite literally, in Macron’s case.
As leaders prepared for a working lunch, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney noticed that Macron appeared to have left his watch behind.
“He’s left his watch here. We’ve got his watch,” Carney joked.
Trump wasted no time joining in.
“Give me it if he left, gimme,” he replied, drawing laughter from the group.
A BICYCLE FOR TRUMP
Diplomacy often comes with gifts, and this summit was no exception.
Macron presented each G7 leader with a personalised bicycle to promote the Cycling World Championships, which France will host next year in the Alps.
It raised a few eyebrows when it came to Trump.
The US President has never hidden his dislike of exercise beyond playing golf and has often joked about avoiding activities such as cycling. There was no microphone nearby to capture his reaction.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived with another gift.
He handed Trump a German national football team jersey featuring Trump’s name and the number 47, which is a reference to his current term as the 47th US President.
Trump smiled, held up the shirt for photographers and posed briefly.
Later, Merz shared a picture of the moment on social media with a pointed message:
“After all, we’re on the same team.”
MELODI STEALS THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN
Another hot mike moment unfolded when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni crossed paths with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before leaders gathered for the traditional family photograph.
The two leaders, whose friendly interactions have fuelled the viral “Melodi” phenomenon across social media, greeted each other warmly as cameras and microphones captured the exchange.
“Nice to meet you again!” Meloni told PM Modi with a smile.
Appearing to refer to their enormous popularity online, PM Modi mentioned Instagram during the conversation.
Meloni immediately played along.
“Yes, we are the most famous on Instagram,” she replied, drawing laughs from those nearby.
MACRON PLAYS MATCHMAKER
Not every hot-mic moment was light-hearted.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were overheard discussing President Trump while walking through the summit venue.
Referring to a previous conversation involving Trump and the war in Ukraine, Macron told Zelenskyy:
“Yesterday, we had a difficult discussion in front of the camera.”
The French President then asked whether Zelenskyy had a bilateral meeting planned with Trump.
When the Ukrainian leader explained he was due to leave for Brussels the following day, Macron responded:
“OK, I will arrange that.”
CARNEY’S QUIET PITCH TO TRUMP
Another microphone picked up an unexpected discussion between Carney and Trump.
Shortly after joking about Macron’s watch, the Canadian leader appeared to explain a deal struck during his recent visit to China that would allow limited imports of Chinese electric vehicles into Canada.
Trying to reassure Trump, Carney stressed the strict limits involved.
“Less than three per cent of our market, 49,000 cars,” he said.
“It’s a cap, we capped, a hard line I thought you’d actually like that.”
Trump’s response was short and direct.
“That’s good, I like it,” he replied.
The G7 comprises France, the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, with the European Union also participating as a non-enumerated member. Besides the core members, several partner countries have been invited in Evian-les-Bains, including India, Brazil, Kenya, South Korea, Ukraine, and others.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
