Rome, January 25, 2026 – In a pointed and unusually direct public statement, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply criticized US President Donald Trump for comments that appeared to downplay the contributions and sacrifices of NATO allies during the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan. Meloni described the remarks as "unacceptable," particularly when voiced by a key allied nation, and emphasized the need for mutual respect within the transatlantic alliance.
The controversy erupted following an interview Trump gave to Fox News on Thursday, January 22, 2026, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In the interview, Trump questioned the reliability of NATO partners and asserted that the United States had "never really needed" the alliance. Referring specifically to Afghanistan, he stated that while allies had sent troops, they "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines." The comments quickly drew widespread condemnation from European leaders, veterans, and military families across NATO member states.
Meloni issued her response on Saturday via a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where she detailed Italy's extensive involvement in the Afghanistan mission. "The Italian Government has learned with astonishment of President Trump’s statements according to which NATO allies would have ‘fallen behind’ during operations in Afghanistan," she wrote in Italian, with the message rapidly translated and shared internationally.
She highlighted the historic invocation of NATO's Article 5—the collective defense clause—following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. This was the only time in the alliance's history that Article 5 had been activated, marking an "extraordinary act of solidarity" toward America. In response, Italy immediately deployed thousands of troops and took full responsibility for the Regional Command West, one of the most significant operational areas in the international mission.
Over nearly 20 years of engagement—from combat operations and security missions to training Afghan forces—Italy paid a heavy price: 53 soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded. Meloni stressed that this sacrifice "cannot be disputed" or minimized.
"For this reason, statements that downplay the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied nation," she continued. She underscored the deep friendship between Italy and the United States, rooted in shared values and historical cooperation, which remains essential amid contemporary global challenges. However, she added a firm caveat: "Friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance."
The statement reflects a rare public divergence from Meloni, who has generally positioned herself as one of Europe's more sympathetic leaders toward Trump. Observers note her past efforts to maintain strong ties with Washington, including alignments on issues like migration and economic policy. Yet the Afghanistan comments struck a sensitive chord, given Italy's documented losses and the broader NATO narrative of unified response post-9/11.
The backlash extended far beyond Italy. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump's remarks "wrong" and "frankly appalling," while Prince Harry—a veteran of two tours in Afghanistan—issued a statement insisting that NATO troops' sacrifices "deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect." British veterans and officials pointed to the 457 UK service members killed in the conflict as evidence contradicting Trump's characterization.
Other NATO nations echoed the sentiment. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recalled personal experiences at farewell ceremonies for fallen soldiers, emphasizing shared sacrifices. Danish troops expressed feelings of betrayal, especially amid recent tensions over issues like Greenland. Canadian officials described the comments as an attempt to "rewrite history," noting their own heavy combat involvement and casualties.
Trump appeared to partially address the uproar on Saturday by praising British troops specifically, calling them "great and very brave" and stating that the UK military is "not second to anyone (except the United States)." He made no similar mention of other allies' contributions, however, and did not retract his broader critique of NATO's role in Afghanistan.
The episode revives longstanding debates about burden-sharing within NATO, a theme Trump has emphasized since his first term. Critics argue his rhetoric risks undermining alliance cohesion at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, including Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and instability in other regions. Supporters see it as blunt honesty about perceived imbalances in defense spending and operational commitments.
Historically, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan involved troops from over 50 nations, with NATO assuming command in 2003. Non-US allies often operated in high-risk areas, including Helmand Province (heavily British) and Herat (Italian-led). Casualty figures show significant losses: the US suffered the highest (around 2,400 killed), but allies bore proportional burdens in their sectors.
Meloni's response, while measured, carries weight given her domestic political standing and her role as a bridge between conservative European leaders and the Trump administration. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had already voiced preliminary criticism earlier in the day, framing the issue in terms of historical facts rather than politics.
As transatlantic relations navigate this latest strain, the incident underscores the delicate balance between alliance solidarity and candid critique. Meloni's closing words—"friendship requires respect"—serve as both a defense of NATO's legacy and a subtle call for restraint in allied discourse.
The full text of Meloni's statement has been widely circulated, with thousands of engagements on X reflecting support from Italian citizens, veterans, and international observers. Whether this leads to further diplomatic exchanges between Rome and Washington remains to be seen, but it has undeniably amplified scrutiny of Trump's foreign policy rhetoric in early 2026.
