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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump for his disparaging remarks about NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Such derogatory statements were "unacceptable - especially when they come from an allied nation," she said, according to a statement from her office.
Trump once again claimed on Fox News that the US had never needed NATO. Several other NATO countries had sent troops to Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, but they had "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," Trump said.
Meloni stated that NATO had, in an "extraordinary act of solidarity towards the US," activated Article 5 of the NATO Treaty for the only time in its history following the Islamist terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Italy had responded immediately and sent thousands of soldiers. Her country had paid a high price with dozens of fallen soldiers, Meloni said.
She stressed that while Italy and the US are connected by a solid friendship based on shared values, "friendship requires respect - a fundamental prerequisite to continue ensuring the solidarity that forms the foundation of the Atlantic alliance."
The far-right politician is among the European leaders with the best rapport with US President Trump.
Meloni has repeatedly tried to position herself as a Trump sympathizer, most recently regarding his claims over Greenland.
According to her own statements, the two are in close contact.
SP1570 on January 24th, 2026 at 20:45 UTC »
In the same sentence she said he should get the Nobel Peace Prize...
imatinyleopard on January 24th, 2026 at 20:38 UTC »
Trump did his own version of walking his comments back a few hours ago.
“The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
adambuddy on January 24th, 2026 at 20:32 UTC »
I like how even Meloni, someone much more sympathetic to Trump and MAGA than basically all of the other NATO can't defend him universally.