Premier Matteo Renzi had a heated exchange with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the European Council meeting of leaders in Brussels. Italian newspaper Corrierre della Sera reports that he said: “Dear Angela, you cannot tell us that you are donating blood to Europe.”

He made this comment in regards to the sale of 14 Greek regional airports following a deal with German company Fraport AG-Slentel Ltd.

Earlier on Friday, the German chancellor’s spokesperson Christiane Wirtz denied speculation that there is a rift between Italy and Berlin over migrants after Renzi said he was against the EU being led solely by Germany. She said that there is no conflict between Germany and Italy.