Defense Minister Margarita Robles categorically rejected the comments made by US President Donald Trump, calling them “unacceptable” and emphasizing that Spain will not accept lectures from anyone.

Appearing before the Defense Committee of the Congress of Deputies to explain the military missions abroad, she took the opportunity to underscore her displeasure with Trump’s pronouncements, in which he said that NATO contingents remained “a little off the front lines.”

Robles also took the opportunity to remember the 97 Spanish soldiers who died in Afghanistan, including three Civil Guard officers, two National Police officers, and two naturalized Spanish interpreters, for whom she requested respect.

“We will not accept anyone lecturing us. Spain’s commitment to Afghanistan was clear and precise during the years we were there,” she declared, after also mentioning the 86 other wounded personnel.

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