Diplomatic Storm in NATO: Meloni Slams Trump’s “Unacceptable” Afghanistan Comments

While U.S. President Donald Trump has recently disparaged the role of NATO allies in the 20-year Afghan war, claiming they stayed in “safe zones,” Italian PM Giorgia Meloni today, January 25, 2026, called these assertions “unacceptable.” Meloni emphasized that Italy and other NATO members immediately activated Article 5 after 9/11 in solidarity with the U.S. She described Trump’s narrative as a disregard for historical facts and the lives sacrificed by non-American troops.

Providing specific data, Meloni reminded the international community that Italy commanded Afghanistan’s Western Region, losing 53 soldiers and seeing over 700 wounded. She stated that the partnership between Italy and the U.S. must be based on mutual respect, and that belittling allies’ roles weakens the alliance’s solidarity against new global threats in 2026. This diplomatic friction occurs as NATO redefines its strategy toward Eastern Europe and the South China Sea.

The UK has also reacted strongly, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling Trump’s remarks “offensive” and noting that British soldiers paid a heavy price in regions like Helmand. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is reportedly working to mediate between the White House and European capitals to prevent a fracture in the organization’s unity. While Trump has slightly softened his tone toward Britain, he continues to pressure members for a 5% GDP defense spending target.

Meanwhile, the 2026 U.S. National Defense Strategy (NDS) details show Washington moving toward “deterrence through power,” focusing on China. This shift, combined with public pressure on traditional allies, has caused significant concern in Brussels. European leaders fear that “America First” policies in Trump’s second term could lead to security isolation and the weakening of long-term strategic treaties.

Analysts believe Trump’s reinterpretation of the Afghan war serves a domestic purpose to justify his transactional approach to NATO. However, the coordinated response from European leaders suggests they are no longer willing to bear the political and military costs of cooperation without receiving mutual respect and security guarantees in return.