Donald Trump has praised UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan after his claim that allied forces avoided the front lines prompted criticism from veterans and politicians.
Earlier this week Trump angered US allies by downplaying the role of NATO troops in the war and doubted whether the military alliance would be there for the US if we ever needed them.
Trump's words drew condemnation from international allies, while Sir Keir Starmer called them insulting and frankly appalling.
The UK prime minister spoke to Trump on Saturday, after which the US president used his Truth Social platform to praise UK troops as being among the greatest of all warriors.
Trump was heavily criticized for remarks he made during an interview with Fox News, suggesting NATO troops had not been needed and had stayed a little back, a little off the front lines in Afghanistan. This sparked a backlash from veterans, families of fallen soldiers, and politicians across the spectrum who demanded an apology.
In response, Prince Harry highlighted the sacrifices of troops, stating that the invocation of NATO's collective security clause occurred following the 9/11 attacks and underscored the importance of respecting those contributions.
In October 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban, who were sheltering Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures. International NATO contributions followed, culminating in the deaths of over 3,500 coalition soldiers, including 457 British troops, primarily in Helmand Province.
After his conversation with UK PM, Trump seemingly softened his approach, lauding UK soldiers' valor and commitment, affirming a bond that should never be broken. This statement received a mixed reception among political leaders highlighting that such contributions should never have been questioned.
Despite the praise, Trump's earlier comments did not acknowledge the contributions of other NATO allies, leading to further criticism from international leaders. Canada’s Defense Minister alluded to the sacrifices of their troops, while Italy's Prime Minister expressed astonishment and highlighted her country’s losses in the conflict.
