Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store issued sharp critiques this week of former U.S. President Donald Trump's claims that non-American NATO troops avoided frontline roles in Afghanistan. The leaders emphasized their nations' sacrifices during the 20-year mission.
Meloni, in a Saturday statement, highlighted that Italy deployed thousands of troops to Regional Command West and suffered 53 combat deaths alongside over 700 injuries. "Statements that minimize NATO contributions are unacceptable, especially from an ally," she said, referencing NATO's historic activation of Article 5 after 9/11.
Store echoed the sentiment on social media, calling Trump's remarks "disrespectful" to veterans and families of the fallen. "Those who served deserve truth and respect," he wrote, noting Norway's sustained involvement in training Afghan forces.
Trump had claimed during a January 22 Fox Business interview that non-U.S. NATO soldiers "stayed a little back" during the war. The comments drew swift rebukes from European officials, reigniting debates about transatlantic burden-sharing ahead of the alliance's 2026 strategic review.
