At the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt, convened to solidify a ceasefire in Gaza after months of conflict, an unexpected moment of levity broke through the weighty diplomacy.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, known for championing tobacco control at home, turned to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and quipped, “You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking.” Nearby, French President Emmanuel Macron laughed and chimed in, “It’s impossible!” Meloni, caught between amusement and mild embarrassment, replied, “I know, I know. I don’t want to kill somebody.”
Erdogan to Meloni;
“You look good! But I have to make you quit smoking”
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) October 13, 2025
The interaction drew attention not just for its personal tone but also for revealing the human side of intense diplomacy. Meloni has admitted in interviews that she resumed smoking after 13 years of abstinence—but that smoking sometimes served as a social glue among political peers. The moment became one of the more humanizing snapshots of the summit, reminding observers that leaders carry personal histories and quirks even into high-stakes negotiations.
🚨⚡️UNUSUAL
Erdogan embarrasses Italian Prime Minister Meloni:
“You look wonderful, but I have to make you quit smoking 🚬.”After his comment, Meloni kept her hand over her mouth throughout the meeting with the leaders. pic.twitter.com/NN9mPKH6vf
— RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) October 13, 2025
Read more: Trump Thanks PM Shehbaz and ‘My Favourite’ COAS Asim Munir for Gaza Peace Effort
The summit itself, co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, drew more than 20 nations in a bid to sustain the Gaza truce and chart postwar reconstruction. Key goals included preserving the ceasefire, coordinating humanitarian aid, and laying groundwork for Gaza’s future governance.
Turkish President Erdoğan used moments like his exchange with Meloni as a bridge — easing tense atmosphere and forging rapport — while highlighting his commitment to the two-state solution and continued humanitarian support.
With additional input by GVS US and Intl desk