In a sharp rebuke from Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks questioning the commitment of NATO allies during the Afghanistan mission. Speaking out on social media platform X, Meloni expressed profound shock at Trump’s assertion that NATO partners held back from fully supporting American efforts in the war-torn country.
Meloni emphasized the unprecedented unity displayed by the alliance following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. ‘For the first time in its history, NATO invoked Article 5 in solidarity with the United States,’ she wrote, highlighting this as a landmark moment of collective defense.
Italy’s contributions were front and center in her response. Rome deployed thousands of troops over nearly two decades, leading the crucial Regional Command West under NATO’s banner. The cost was steep: 53 Italian soldiers lost their lives, and over 700 were wounded in combat operations, security missions, and training Afghan forces.
‘Diminishing the sacrifices of NATO nations is unacceptable, especially from a fellow ally,’ Meloni stated. She underscored the deep bonds between Rome and Washington, insisting that mutual respect is the bedrock of their friendship and the Atlantic alliance’s strength.
Trump’s comments came during an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22. He claimed NATO allies sent troops to Afghanistan but stayed ‘a bit behind’ and away from the front lines, adding doubt about their reliability in future crises. Meloni’s firm stance serves as a reminder of NATO’s shared history and the need for alliance solidarity amid evolving global tensions.