Trump Hails UK Soldiers as ‘Greatest Warriors’ After Backlash on NATO Role in Afghanistan

US President Donald Trump has lauded British troops who served in Afghanistan, calling them “among the greatest of all warriors” in a bid to calm tensions sparked by his earlier remarks downplaying NATO allies’ contributions to the war. The praise came shortly after a phone call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, following widespread outrage from veterans, politicians, and international leaders.

Trump’s initial comments during a Fox News interview on Thursday suggested that NATO forces, including those from the UK, stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan. He questioned the alliance’s reliability, stating, “We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them.” These words ignited fierce criticism, with Starmer describing them as “insulting and frankly appalling.”

The backlash extended beyond the UK. Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, emphasized the sacrifices of NATO troops, noting that Article 5—the alliance’s collective defense clause—was invoked for the first time after the 9/11 attacks. “I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there,” the Duke of Sussex said in a statement. Veterans like Cpl Andy Reid, who lost both legs and an arm in the conflict, highlighted joint operations with US forces, rejecting any notion of avoidance.

Other NATO allies voiced dismay. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Trump’s remarks “unacceptable,” pointing to 53 Italian soldiers killed and over 700 wounded. Canada’s Defence Minister David J McGuinty affirmed his country’s commitment, saying troops were there “because it was the right thing to do.” Even US figures, including former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, labeled the comments “insulting.”

In Nigeria, the story has drawn attention amid discussions on international alliances, with local media highlighting the implications for global security partnerships. The UK suffered 457 fatalities in the nearly 20-year conflict, second only to the US’s 2,461. Overall, more than 3,500 coalition soldiers died by 2021.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump 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.” He added, “The UK military, with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA). We love you all, and always will!”

UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the acknowledgment but noted it “should never have been questioned in the first place.” Downing Street confirmed the leaders discussed the “brave and heroic” sacrifices of British and American soldiers.

This episode underscores ongoing debates about NATO’s unity, especially as the alliance navigates new global challenges.