ROME — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for remarks downplaying NATO’s role in Afghanistan, calling the comments “unacceptable” and lacking respect for allied sacrifices.
In a post on X, Meloni said her government learned “with astonishment” of Trump’s statement that NATO troops stayed “a little off the front lines” during the Afghanistan war.
“Statements that downplay the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied nation,” she said.
Meloni recalled that following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, NATO invoked Article 5 — the alliance’s collective defense clause — for the first and only time in its history, describing it as an extraordinary act of solidarity with the United States.
She said Italy paid a heavy price for its role in Afghanistan, with 53 soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded.
“Italy and the United States are bound by a strong friendship, founded on shared values and historic cooperation,” Meloni said, adding that “friendship requires respect,” which she described as essential to maintaining solidarity within the Atlantic Alliance.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “disrespectful.”
“The fallen, their families, and those who served in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken of with truth and respect,” Støre wrote on Facebook.
“The statement by the U.S. president is disrespectful.”
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He said he understood why veterans and families of those killed were reacting strongly, stressing that soldiers who served in Afghanistan deserved recognition for their sacrifices.
Trump’s comments have stirred anger among several NATO allies, including Poland, Italy and the United Kingdom, with leaders describing the remarks as “unacceptable” and “insulting.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call Saturday with Trump following the backlash in the UK, where the president’s comments sparked widespread criticism.
According to a statement from Starmer’s office, the prime minister referenced British and American soldiers “who fought side by side in Afghanistan.”
Starmer has previously described Trump’s remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling.”
Later on Saturday, Trump praised British troops who fought in Afghanistan, calling them “very brave” in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America,” he wrote.
During their call, Starmer and Trump also discussed Ukraine, agreeing on the need to make progress toward a sustainable ceasefire. Starmer reiterated that international partners must continue supporting Ukraine against Russian attacks.
The two leaders also discussed Arctic security, agreeing on the need to strengthen stability in the region, which Starmer described as an “absolute priority” for his government.
