Italian MP sparks uproar after describing Emmanuel Macron as 'feminine' during senate speech days before French leader posted macho boxing pictures

An Italian politician has caused controversy after he described the French President Emmanuel Macron as 'feminine.' Roberto Menia, a member of the Italian senate, made the remarks during a discussion about Macron's proposal that NATO could send troops to Ukraine. The pictures released by Macron's official photographer Sazig de la Moissonniere show the French leader in a boxing gym where he flexed his muscles as he hit a punching bag Roberto Menia described French President Emmanuel Macron as 'feminine' during a discussion about Macron's proposal that NATO could send troops to Ukraine Menia received audible groans from other members of the senate and even the leader of Brothers of Italy in the senate, Lucio Malan, attempted to distance himself from Menia's remarks. Menia's remarks followed a speech from Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday where she stated her opposition to Macron's proposal that NATO could send troops to Ukraine, setting the scene for a future war of words between the two European leaders. Menia made his remarks about Macron following a speech from Meloni where she she stated her opposition to Macron's proposal that NATO could send troops to Ukraine, setting the scene for a potential war of words between the two European leaders Macron released the pictures following repeated warnings from the French President that Western ground troops going into Ukraine should not be 'ruled out' Last month Macron refused to rule out putting troops on the ground in Ukraine and he said that Western ground operations in Ukraine might be necessary 'at some point.'