Meloni opposes possible U.S. withdrawal from Italy

The Pentagon last week confirmed that it planned to remove 5,000 troops from Germany, though it stopped shy of announcing a full withdrawal.

By Ben Whedon

Published: May 4, 2026 4:04pm

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday indicated that she opposed a possible U.S. withdrawal of troops from Italy as President Donald Trump has signaled such a withdrawal from Germany.

Meloni, speaking to reporters, indicated that she was concerned about a U.S. withdrawal, would oppose such a decision, and highlighted that Italy had honored its obligations, apparently referencing American frustrations with NATO allies.

"It is clearly a decision that does not depend on me and one that I personally would not support," she said.
"But there is one thing I would like to make clear, Italy has always honored its commitments."

The Pentagon last week confirmed that it planned to remove 5,000 troops from Germany, though it stopped shy of announcing a full withdrawal. The U.S. currently has roughly 35,000 troops in the country. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war.

The Trump administration has repeatedly expressed its frustration with NATO allies amid the Iran war, lamenting that the bloc's other members had not contirbuted to naval operations in the Persian Gulf.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.