Donald Trump has praised UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, calling them “among the greatest of all warriors”, after facing strong criticism for remarks that appeared to downplay the role of Nato allies.
The US president had angered allies earlier in the week after questioning Nato’s commitment and suggesting allied troops avoided frontline combat in Afghanistan. Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said of Nato forces: “We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them.
“They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
The comments drew condemnation from veterans, families of fallen soldiers and politicians across the UK and internationally. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling”.
Downing Street said Sir Keir spoke with Trump on Saturday, during which he raised the sacrifices of British troops who fought alongside US forces. A spokesperson said: “The prime minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice”.
Shortly after the call, Trump posted fresh comments on his Truth Social platform, appearing to step back from his earlier remarks but stopping short of a direct apology. He wrote: “The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America.
“In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors.
“It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The UK military, with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA). We love you all, and always will!”
More than 3,500 coalition troops died during the Afghanistan conflict, with about two thirds of them American. The UK suffered the second highest number of fatalities after the US, losing 457 personnel over nearly 20 years of operations, many in Helmand province.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed Trump’s latest comments, saying: “It should never have been questioned in the first place.”
Prince Harry also weighed in, highlighting Nato’s collective defence commitment. He said: “I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there.
“In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first and only time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.
“Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.”
Veterans also challenged Trump’s earlier claims. Former soldier Andy Reid, who lost both legs and his right arm to an improvised explosive device, said: “If they were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well.”
International criticism continued, with leaders from Canada, Italy and the US political establishment saying the contributions of Nato allies should not be diminished. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said statements that downplayed allied sacrifices were “unacceptable”, noting that 53 Italian soldiers were killed and more than 700 wounded during the conflict.
