Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a stark warning to her European counterparts on Monday, urging the continent to bolster its “reaction capacity” and security independence following threats from the White House to significantly reduce the U.S. military footprint in Europe.
Speaking to reporters at the EU summit in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, Meloni addressed President Donald Trump’s recent claims that he intends to lower troop levels in Italy and Spain, as well as his confirmed order to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
Strategic Autonomy as a Necessity
“I cannot tell you what will happen,” Meloni said when asked about Trump’s comments. “The U.S. has discussed its withdrawal from Europe for a long time; therefore, I think we must strengthen our security and increase our reaction capacity.”
While Meloni clarified that a U.S. withdrawal is a choice she “personally would not agree with,” she framed it as a reality that Europe must now prepare for.
The U.S.-Germany Rift and NATO Tensions
The latest friction was sparked by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who condemned Washington’s aggressive stance in negotiations with Iran. In retaliation, President Trump announced the partial withdrawal from Germany, reiterating his long-standing grievance that the U.S. bears a “disproportionate” share of Western security costs.
The tensions expanded to Southern Europe in late February, when Trump accused Italy and Spain of failing to support the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Meloni, alongside other EU leaders, has consistently refused to join that offensive, citing concerns over its legality under international law.
“Italy has always fulfilled its commitments. I do not consider some of the things said about us to be accurate,” Meloni stated, defending Italy’s role within the alliance.
Diplomatic “Thawing Mission”
Despite the public sparring, diplomatic channels remain open. Meloni is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome this Friday. Rubio’s trip is being characterized by Italian media as a “thawing mission” aimed at repairing the damage caused by recent verbal attacks from the American president against both the Prime Minister and Pope Leo XIV.
As the second Trump term continues to strain NATO’s traditional structures, Meloni’s call for a self-reliant European defense marks a significant shift in the rhetoric of one of America’s historically closest allies.
