Donald Trump recently ignited controversy with remarks suggesting that Nato allied troops in Afghanistan “stayed a little off the frontlines” during the conflict. These claims drew significant criticism from various quarters, including Australian veterans who expressed their disgust at the statements.

Following the backlash, the former US president posted on social media, retracting or clarifying his stance on specific allies. In his Saturday post, Trump lauded UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan as “among the greatest of all warriors.” He stated, “The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America.” He acknowledged the sacrifice of 457 UK soldiers who died and many who were injured, emphasizing that the bond between the two nations is “too strong to ever be broken.” Trump concluded by praising the UK military’s “tremendous heart and soul,” calling them “second to none (except for the USA),” and expressing enduring affection.

The UK Prime Minister also addressed Trump’s initial comments directly during a conversation on Saturday. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that the Prime Minister raised the sacrifices of “brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home,” asserting the need to “never forget their sacrifice.” The leaders’ discussion also covered other critical international issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, where they agreed on the need for progress towards a sustainable ceasefire and continued international support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Additionally, they discussed bolstering security in the Arctic, a priority for the UK government, and reaffirmed the enduring importance of the UK-US relationship, agreeing to speak again soon.

Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, also joined the chorus of criticism against Trump’s initial remarks concerning the role of non-US Nato troops in Afghanistan. Meloni expressed the Italian government’s astonishment at Trump’s statement, firmly defending the memory and contributions of Italian soldiers. She highlighted the “undisputable cost” paid by Italy during nearly 20 years of Nato operations in Afghanistan, noting 53 Italian soldiers killed and over 700 wounded. Meloni stressed that statements downplaying the contribution of Nato countries, especially from an allied nation, are “unacceptable.”

Meloni further recalled that the US itself invoked Article 5 of the North Atlantic treaty after the 11 September 2001 attacks, which effectively launched the Afghanistan campaign, requiring member states to defend any ally under attack. While acknowledging the strong ties between Italy and the US, she underscored that “friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the core of the Atlantic Alliance.” Italy’s foreign minister echoed similar sentiments, paying tribute to the nation’s fallen and wounded in Afghanistan.