After facing backlash for his claims that NATO forces “stayed a little off the frontlines” in Afghanistan, US President Donald Trump has now praised the “great and very brave soldiers” of the United Kingdom who fought in the conflict.
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said the “great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America.” He acknowledged that 457 UK troops died in Afghanistan and many were badly injured, describing them as “among the greatest of all warriors.”
The president’s latest comments come a day after he drew criticism for suggesting that NATO allies were not fully committed to the fight in Afghanistan. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly raised the issue with Trump in a conversation on Saturday, according to Downing Street.
A Downing Street 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, he said.”
Trump’s initial remarks had sparked outrage, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemning the president’s “statements that downplay the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan” as “unacceptable.”
Meloni noted that Italy had paid a heavy price in the conflict, with 53 soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded. She said “friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the core of the Atlantic Alliance.”
As the war in Ukraine continues, the leaders also discussed the need for progress towards a sustainable ceasefire and the importance of continued international support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s “barbaric attacks.”
The UK-US relationship, which “continues to stand the test of time,” was also a topic of discussion, with the leaders agreeing to speak again soon.