Why Italy’s PM Meloni rebuked Trump over NATO remarks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly rebuked former US President Donald Trump for his controversial remarks about NATO, casting doubt on a conversation he claimed they had about defence spending.
Key Takeaways
- Trump claimed he told the leader of a “big country” the US would not protect them from Russia if they didn’t pay their NATO bills.
- Italian media identified the leader as PM Giorgia Meloni, a link strengthened by Trump’s reference to Afghanistan.
- Meloni’s office dismissed the “alleged conversation” as unlikely and inappropriate to make public.
- The remarks have renewed European fears about US commitment to NATO under a potential Trump presidency.
The Controversial NATO Anecdote
At a South Carolina rally, Donald Trump recounted a talk with an unnamed leader of a “big country.” He said the leader asked if America would defend their nation from a Russian attack even if they were behind on defence payments.
“No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills,” Trump quoted himself as saying.
Why Meloni Was Identified
While Trump didn’t name the leader, Italian reports pointed to PM Meloni. The connection was made clearer when Trump added, “By the way, the same thing happened with Afghanistan.”
Meloni was a prominent critic of the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, calling it a “grave defeat for the West” and a blow to NATO’s credibility.
Italy’s Firm Rejection
A spokesperson for PM Meloni told AGI news agency: “The prime minister did not consider the reconstruction of this alleged conversation to be likely, and in any case, she did not consider it appropriate to make it public.”
The statement affirmed Italy’s serious commitment to NATO, highlighting its role during the Afghan crisis “in full agreement with the allies.”
Broader Implications for NATO
This isn’t the first time Meloni has distanced herself from Trump’s NATO stance. She previously said his words “should not be exploited” in campaigns, stressing Italy’s credible international posture.
Trump’s comments have stoked fresh anxiety among European allies regarding future US dedication to NATO’s Article 5—the principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
