NATO summit drama: Viral videos steal the spotlight from leaders

A video featuring Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who appears bored during a conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the NATO summit in Washington, has gone viral. Numerous behind-the-scenes photos illustrate the relationships between the Alliance's member countries' leaders.

The NATO summit in Washington has concluded, with the final statements noting, among other things, that "the PRC has become a decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine through its so-called "no limits" partnership and its large-scale support for Russia’s defence industrial base. This increases the threat Russia poses to its neighbours and to Euro-Atlantic security." Consequently, it was assessed that the People's Republic of China "continues to pose systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security."

Official statements by the leaders of member countries and the conclusions after the summit are one thing. Numerous behind-the-scenes photos and videos are also available on the internet. Some of them, like the video of the bored Italian Prime Minister, quickly went viral on social media.

Giorgia Meloni was caught ostentatiously rolling her eyes, making faces, and glancing at her wrist as if looking for a watch during her conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, manifesting a lack of interest in her conversation partner.

Foreign media explained the peculiar behaviour of the Italian Prime Minister, stating that her disdain and boredom were caused by the one-hour delay of US President Joe Biden and the subsequent delay of the summit.

Another video circulating on social media shows the "isolated" Hungarian Prime Minister. While everyone in the room participates in some dialogue during a break, Viktor Orban sits at an empty table, observing others. The recording clearly shows how Orban, who recently visited Russia as part of his "peace mission", is perceived by the leaders of the other Allied member countries.