Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron became embroiled in a political dispute after Meloni commented on the killing of a far-right activist in France, remarks that Macron described as interference in France’s internal affairs.

Meloni said on Thursday that Macron had “misunderstood” her comments after he urged her to refrain from “commenting on what happens in other countries.”

Speaking to Sky TG24, Meloni said: “I am sorry that Macron considered it interference,” adding that her remarks were intended as an expression of solidarity rather than intervention.

There was no immediate further comment from the French presidency.