Trump UK soldiers Afghanistan – US President Donald Trump has praised British troops who fought in Afghanistan, calling them “among the greatest of all warriors,” after his earlier remarks about Nato forces sparked widespread anger among veterans, politicians and allied governments. The comments mark a partial retreat from statements Trump made earlier this week that appeared to downplay the role of Nato allies during the two-decade conflict.
The controversy erupted after an interview with Fox News in which Trump suggested allied forces avoided the front lines during the war in Afghanistan and questioned whether Nato would support the United States in a future conflict. His remarks drew sharp criticism from UK political leaders, military veterans and international allies, prompting a diplomatic response from London and renewed debate over the legacy of the Afghanistan war.
Controversial Remarks Spark International Backlash
During the interview, Trump claimed that Nato troops were not heavily engaged in frontline combat during the Afghanistan war. “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines,” he said. He also asserted that the United States had “never really asked anything” of Nato allies.
These comments were met with immediate backlash, particularly from countries that lost significant numbers of troops during the conflict. Families of fallen soldiers, veterans who served in Afghanistan, and politicians across Europe condemned the remarks as inaccurate and deeply disrespectful to those who fought and died alongside US forces.
In the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Trump’s comments as “insulting and frankly appalling,” stressing that British forces fought shoulder to shoulder with American troops in some of the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan.
Starmer–Trump Call Leads to Shift in Tone
Following the public outcry, Sir Keir Starmer held a phone conversation with President Trump on Saturday, during which the UK leader emphasized the sacrifices made by British and American soldiers during the conflict.
According to Downing Street, the prime minister raised the bravery of troops who fought together in Afghanistan, noting that many never returned home. Shortly after the call, Trump posted a statement on his Truth Social platform that appeared to soften his earlier stance.
“The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America,” Trump wrote. Referring to the 457 British service members who died in Afghanistan, he added that they were “among the greatest of all warriors.”
While the message stopped short of a direct apology, it was widely interpreted as an acknowledgment of the UK’s frontline role and the sacrifices made by its armed forces during the war.
Afghanistan War and Nato’s Role
The war in Afghanistan began in October 2001 after the United States launched an invasion to oust the Taliban, which was accused of sheltering al-Qaeda leaders responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Nato invoked Article 5 — its collective defense clause — for the first and only time in its history, obligating member states to support the US mission.
Over nearly 20 years of conflict, Nato allies contributed troops, equipment and logistical support. More than 3,500 coalition soldiers died before the US withdrawal in 2021, with about two-thirds of those fatalities being American. The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths after the US, losing 457 personnel.
British forces were heavily involved in intense combat operations, particularly in Helmand province, one of the most volatile regions in the country.
Veterans and Royal Voices Speak Out
Trump’s initial remarks also prompted responses from prominent figures, including Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army. In a statement released on Friday, the Duke of Sussex stressed that Nato allies answered the call to support the United States after 9/11.
“I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there,” Prince Harry said. He highlighted the personal toll of the war, noting that thousands of families were permanently changed by the conflict.
Veterans echoed these sentiments, rejecting the notion that allied troops avoided combat. Former British corporal Andy Reid, who lost both legs and an arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device, said the idea that Nato troops were not on the front lines was “plain incorrect.”
“If they were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well,” he said.
Political Reaction Across the UK and Beyond
UK political leaders from across the spectrum criticized Trump’s initial comments. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was pleased that Trump later acknowledged the UK’s role but stressed that it “should never have been questioned in the first place.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage also joined calls condemning the remarks. Internationally, officials from countries such as Poland and Canada pushed back strongly.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who personally served in Afghanistan, said no one had the right to mock the service of allied soldiers. Canada’s defence minister emphasized that Canadian troops fought from the beginning because it was “the right thing to do,” not out of obligation.
Even within the United States, Trump’s comments drew criticism from senior military and political figures. Former national security adviser H.R. McMaster described the remarks as insulting to those who fought alongside American forces.
A Sensitive Legacy Revisited
The Afghanistan war remains a deeply sensitive subject for many nations, particularly following the chaotic US withdrawal in 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power. Trump’s comments reopened old wounds for families of the fallen and veterans who continue to deal with physical and psychological injuries.
While his subsequent praise of British troops eased some diplomatic tension, critics argue that words alone cannot undo the damage caused by questioning the sacrifices of allied forces. The episode has underscored the enduring importance of mutual respect among Nato allies and the lasting human cost of the longest war in modern Western history.
This report is part of FFRNEWS Politics coverage, tracking major international diplomatic developments and military affairs. Details in this article are based on reporting by BBC News, which covered President Trump’s comments and the reaction from UK leaders, veterans and allies.
