Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday called President Donald Trump’s comments about the role of NATO allies in Afghanistan “unacceptable,” pushing back against suggestions that they were “a little bit left behind” from the front lines.
“After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO activated Article 5 for the first and only time in its history: an extraordinary act of solidarity towards the United States,” Meloni wrote on X.
“In that massive operation against those fomenting terrorism, Italy responded immediately together with its allies, deploying thousands of troops and taking full responsibility for the Regional Command West, one of the key operational areas of the entire international mission,” she said.
Meloni explained that Italy’s nearly two-decade involvement in Afghanistan came at a significant cost: 53 Italian soldiers were killed and more than 700 were injured during combat operations, security missions and training programs for Afghan forces.
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Italian soldiers carry the flag-draped coffin of Sergeant Michele Silvestri upon arrival from Afghanistan at Ciampino Airport near Rome on March 26, 2012. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)
“For this reason, statements that minimize the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially if they come from an allied nation,” she added.
“Italy and the United States are bound by a solid friendship, based on a shared community of values and historic cooperation, which is even more necessary in light of the many current challenges. But friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition to continue to guarantee solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance.”
Trump has repeatedly questioned the reliability of NATO allies, including whether they would come to the United States’ aid if ever called upon.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends her annual press conference in Rome on January 9, 2026. (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
He confounded US allies across Europe, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, after downplaying their contributions in Afghanistan during an interview with FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo at the World Economic Forum.
“We never needed them. We never really asked anything of them,” Trump said of NATO. “You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this and that. And they did, they stayed a little bit behind, a little bit out of the front line.”
Trump later appeared to soften his comments in a Saturday post on Truth Social, praising the sacrifices of British troops in Afghanistan.
“The GREAT and very courageous soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 people died, many were seriously injured and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It is a bond too strong to ever be broken. The British Army, with enormous heart and soul, is second to none (except the USA!). We love you all, and always will!” he wrote.
British soldiers from the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission arrive at the scene of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 6, 2020. (Omar Sobhani/Reuters)
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Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also highlighted the broader international toll of the war, citing the sacrifices of 31 allied countries fighting alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
He thanked those countries for answering the call after September 11, noting that 159 troops from Canada, 90 from France, 62 from Germany, 44 from Poland and 43 from Denmark were among those killed in the conflict.
