Meloni Rejects Trump’s Remarks Questioning NATO Allies’ Role in Afghanistan

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed strong displeasure over remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that NATO allies did not play a frontline role in Afghanistan.

Responding to Trump’s comments, Meloni said in a social media post that the Italian government was “deeply surprised” by his assertion that NATO partners were not at the forefront of operations in Afghanistan.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, NATO invoked Article 5 of its charter—the alliance’s collective defence clause—for the first and only time in its history. The decision was widely seen as a powerful symbol of solidarity with the United States.

Italy, Meloni noted, paid a heavy price during the nearly two-decade-long mission in Afghanistan. A total of 53 Italian soldiers were killed during the operation.

“Italy responded immediately, alongside its partner nations, to this crucial operation against those who support terrorism,” Meloni wrote. “Our country deployed thousands of troops and assumed responsibility for one of the most significant sectors of the entire international mission, the Regional Command West. Over the course of nearly 20 years, Italy paid an indisputable price. Fifty-three Italian soldiers lost their lives, and more than 700 were wounded while taking part in combat operations, security missions, and training programmes for Afghan forces.”

Meloni used strong language in rejecting Trump’s characterisation of NATO’s role, stating that any attempt to diminish the contribution of allied nations in Afghanistan was unacceptable.

“For this reason, we cannot accept statements that undermine the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan, especially when they come from an ally,” she said. “Italy and the United States share a strong friendship rooted in historic cooperation and shared values. At a time of growing global challenges, this bond is more important than ever. However, friendship requires mutual respect, which is essential to preserving NATO’s unity.”

Trump’s remarks were made during an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he questioned the value of NATO allies’ support. “We were never there because we needed them,” he said. “We never asked them for anything. They say they sent troops to Afghanistan, but they were not on the front lines—they stayed away from the front.”

The comments have drawn criticism from several European leaders. In addition to Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also issued a statement addressing Trump’s remarks, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue among NATO partners.