Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu defended Turkey and alleged that the seating order was made according to the arrangements discussed with the European Union.[21] The Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also lamented the treatment of Von der Leyen stating: "With these dictators — let us call them what they are — one must be frank in expressing one’s diversity of views and visions of society"[22][23] while also emphasizing the need of cooperation between Turkey and the European Union.[22] To the "dictator" remark, Ankara responded with the summoning of the Italian ambassador to Turkey.[21] According to Il Fatto Quotidiano Turkey has suspended the purchase of helicopters from the Italian company Leonardo.[24] But also after Erdoğan condemned Draghi's "dictator" remark alleging that while Erdogan is elected Draghi is only appointed,[25][26] Draghi refused to change his statement.[27]