The Italian leader has the potential to serve as a key European ally in the quest for peace in Europe and the Middle East.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plans to attend Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration as US president, she said on Thursday. Meloni confirmed that she had received a personal invitation from the future US president and said she will travel to Washington for the occasion if her schedule allows.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy visited Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort over the weekend, becoming the latest world leader to meet with the president-elect ahead of his inauguration later this month.

Lago, an invitation to Monday's inauguration and good relations with Elon Musk, Italy's Giorgia Meloni has positioned herself as the closest mainstream European leader to Donald Trump.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose rise to power in Rome two years ago sparked panic among the European political establishment, may now be the continent’s best hope to have one of its own in the good graces of the Trump White House.