Key Insights:
- Trump praised UK troops after criticism over NATO Afghanistan comments.
- UK and EU leaders rejected Trump’s claims about frontline roles.
- NATO allies stressed shared sacrifice during the Afghanistan war.
Trump praised UK troops on Saturday after his earlier remarks questioning NATO’s role in Afghanistan triggered strong backlash in Britain and across Europe. The comments were published on his Truth Social platform following a phone conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to official statements. Trump said British soldiers showed exceptional bravery and stressed that the military bond between the two countries remained strong.
In his post, Trump described UK service members as “great and very brave soldiers” who would always stand with the United States. He also recognised the scale of British losses during the conflict, acknowledging that hundreds of soldiers were killed or seriously wounded while serving in Afghanistan. Trump added that cooperation between the two militaries had endured for decades and would continue despite political disagreements.
Although the statement struck a conciliatory tone, Trump did not directly apologise for his earlier remarks about NATO allies. His comments were widely seen as an attempt to calm diplomatic tensions after days of criticism from British officials, military families, and European leaders.
Controversial NATO remarks trigger UK political backlash
The controversy began earlier in the week when Trump spoke to Fox Business Network while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. During the interview, Trump questioned whether NATO allies would support the United States in a future conflict and claimed that European troops stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan.
Those remarks sparked immediate anger in the United Kingdom, particularly among families of soldiers killed or seriously injured during the war. Veterans’ groups and political figures said the comments misrepresented the reality of Britain’s military involvement and overlooked the risks faced by UK forces on the ground.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded publicly on Friday, calling Trump’s comments “insulting and frankly appalling.” He said British troops fought and died alongside American forces throughout the conflict and that their sacrifices should never be questioned or minimised.
Starmer raises issue directly during phone call
According to a statement from Downing Street, Starmer raised the issue directly during a phone call with Trump on Saturday. The prime minister emphasised the bravery of British and American soldiers who served side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home.
The statement said the two leaders also discussed broader international issues, including the war in Ukraine and security concerns in the Arctic region. Officials added that the conversation reaffirmed the importance of the UK-US relationship, which they said had endured through many challenges.
While Trump’s later comments acknowledged British sacrifices, Starmer stopped short of saying the matter had been fully resolved. UK officials indicated that recognition of the historical record remained important, particularly for families affected by the conflict.
European leaders reject Trump’s characterisation
The United Kingdom was not alone in condemning Trump’s remarks, as several European leaders issued sharp responses. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the comments were disrespectful to fallen soldiers and their families, stressing that those who served in Afghanistan deserved truth and respect.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also criticised Trump’s remarks, saying statements that downplayed NATO’s contribution were unacceptable, especially when made by an allied nation. She stressed that NATO forces shared responsibilities and losses throughout the conflict.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded by urging European leaders to show resolve, while French officials said the remarks ignored the reality of allied deployments. European governments broadly agreed that NATO’s unity depended on accurate recognition of shared sacrifices.
Afghanistan war record contrasts Trump’s claims
Trump’s remarks stood in contrast to the documented history of the Afghanistan war, which began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks in the United States. NATO activated its collective defence clause for the first time, leading dozens of allied nations to join the US-led mission.
Over the years, the UK contributed more than 150,000 British troops to Afghanistan; this is the second-largest number of contributors after the US. Colonial powers such as Canada lost over 150 soldiers, France, Germany, Italy and Denmark among the allies also had huge losses.
The United States lost more than 2,400 service members during the conflict, while Afghan civilian deaths numbered in the tens of thousands, according to academic estimates. Despite Trump’s praise for UK troops, European leaders continued to stress that NATO’s collective role and shared losses should not be questioned.
