Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday criticized former President Trump’s remarks about NATO allies’ involvement in Afghanistan, labeling them as “unacceptable.” Meloni pushed back against Trump’s suggestion that NATO allies were not fully engaged on the front lines.

“After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time ever—a remarkable gesture of solidarity with the United States,” Meloni expressed on the platform X.

She highlighted Italy’s immediate response to this call for unity by deploying thousands of troops alongside its allies. Italy took on significant responsibilities, notably leading Regional Command West, a key operational sector of the international mission in Afghanistan.

Meloni underscored that Italy’s nearly 20-year commitment in Afghanistan came with a heavy toll, involving the loss of 53 Italian soldiers and over 700 injuries during various operations, including combat, security missions, and training Afghan forces.

Italian soldiers are seen carrying the flag-draped coffin of Sergeant Michele Silvestri as it arrived from Afghanistan at Ciampino Airport near Rome on March 26, 2012. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

“For this reason, statements that minimize the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially if they come from an allied Nation,” she added. 

“Italy and the United States are bound by a solid friendship, founded on a shared community of values and historical collaboration, which is even more necessary in the face of the many current challenges. But friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance.”

Trump has repeatedly questioned NATO allies’ reliability, including whether they would come to the United States’ aid if ever called upon.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends her annual press conference in Rome on Jan. 9, 2026. (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

He unsettled U.S. allies across Europe, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, after downplaying their contributions in Afghanistan during an interview with FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo at the World Economic Forum.

“We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them,” Trump said of NATO. “You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this and that. And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”

Trump later appeared to soften his remarks in a Saturday post on Truth Social, praising the sacrifices of British troops in Afghanistan.

“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!” he wrote.

British soldiers with the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission arrive at the site of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 6, 2020. (Omar Sobhani/Reuters)

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also highlighted the broader international toll of the war, citing the sacrifices of 31 allied nations that fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

He thanked those countries for answering the call after Sept. 11, noting that 159 troops from Canada, 90 from France, 62 from Germany, 44 from Poland and 43 from Denmark were among those killed in the conflict.