Italy has firmly rejected recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that NATO allies “lagged behind” during operations in Afghanistan, calling such claims disrespectful and disconnected from historical reality.
In a strongly worded statement attributed to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Italian government said it reacted with “surprise” to the comments, emphasizing that NATO’s response after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was a defining moment of collective solidarity with the United States. Italy recalled that the Alliance invoked Article 5 — its mutual defense clause — for the first and only time in its history specifically in support of Washington.
Rome underlined that Italy was among the first countries to respond militarily, committing thousands of troops to the Afghanistan mission and taking on full responsibility for the strategically significant Regional Command West. Italian forces were involved not only in combat operations, but also in security tasks and the training of Afghan forces over nearly two decades.
The government stressed the human cost of that commitment. Fifty-three Italian soldiers lost their lives, and more than 700 were wounded during the mission. According to the statement, these sacrifices make it unacceptable to downplay or question the contributions of NATO partners.
While reaffirming the long-standing friendship between Italy and the United States, Meloni noted that alliances are sustained not only by shared interests, but also by mutual respect. She warned that dismissive narratives risk undermining the trust and solidarity that form the foundation of the Atlantic Alliance, particularly at a time when global security challenges are growing more complex.
Italy concluded by reiterating its commitment to NATO and transatlantic cooperation, while making clear that recognition of allied efforts is essential for maintaining unity within the alliance.