Trump Backtracks As NATO Allies Condemn Afghanistan Remarks

WASHINGTON (Web Desk) – US President Donald Trump on Saturday appeared to partially walk back controversial remarks regarding the role of non-US NATO troops in Afghanistan, following sharp criticism from European allies who accused him of downplaying their sacrifices. While Trump praised British forces in a new statement, his broader comments that NATO troops “stayed a little back” from the front lines continued to draw condemnation across Europe.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump hailed British soldiers as “GREAT and very BRAVE,” acknowledging that 457 UK troops were killed in Afghanistan and describing the bond between the United States and the United Kingdom as unbreakable. His comments came a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Trump’s earlier remarks as “insulting and appalling.” A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Starmer raised the issue during a phone call with Trump, emphasizing the shared sacrifice of British and American troops.

UK Slams Trump Over Afghanistan Troop Remarks

However, criticism extended well beyond Britain. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Trump’s remarks “unacceptable,” noting that Italy lost 53 soldiers and saw more than 700 wounded during NATO’s Afghanistan mission. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recalled the loss of Polish soldiers and urged that Trump be reminded of America’s past promises to remember allied sacrifices.

France and Denmark also voiced strong objections. The French presidency said the comments were not worthy of response, reiterating gratitude to families of the 90 French soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said it was unacceptable for the US president to question the commitment of allied forces, noting Denmark’s high per-capita losses and prompting veterans to plan a silent protest march in Copenhagen.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the “heavy price” paid by Germany, stressing that Berlin answered Washington’s call for support after the 9/11 attacks and that many wounded soldiers still suffer physical and psychological consequences. NATO allies joined the US in Afghanistan after Washington invoked Article 5 for the first time in alliance history.

Trump’s remarks came amid an already strained transatlantic relationship, following recent tensions over Greenland and trade threats, though the US president has since softened his stance on those issues. The fallout from his Afghanistan comments, however, continues to test relations with key NATO partners.