Meloni: astonished by Trump's words, unacceptable to belittle allies' role in Afghanistan

"The Italian government has learned with astonishment President Trump's statements that Nato allies have 'fallen behind' during operations in Afghanistan." This was stated in a statement by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Meloni continued: "Statements that downplay the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan, especially coming from an allied nation, are not acceptable. Friendship requires respect, which is a fundamental condition for continuing to guarantee the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance'.

'In Italy, every opportunity is good for controversy. Today it was Trump's words to Fox on the role of the US allies in Afghanistan. I have decided to entrust my response, as Minister of Defence, to formal acts, as is customary between institutions, by giving a brief historical review of what happened in Afghanistan and in many other theatres. The great thing about facts is that they cannot be erased. And on the commitment of Italy, of its Armed Forces in missions, on their value, on their sacrifice, on their non-marginal role, we cannot and will not accept superficial and mistaken analyses. On the part of no one'. Thus the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, in a post on X.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also responded to the US president. "We honour the 53 Italian soldiers who fell during the mission in Afghanistan. Many of them were decorated in memory: 1 Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy; 4 Gold Medals for Military Valour; 3 Silver Medals for Military Valour; 26 Crosses of Honour. We also honour the 723 soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and with them all the Italians who took part in the mission". Tajani wrote this on X.

Yesterday Donald Trump had downplayed the role of the NATO contingents in Afghanistan alongside the US, provoking mainly protest from Great Britain.