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US President Trump has walked back comments criticizing NATO allies, praising British soldiers in Afghanistan after initially questioning the extent of their contributions. He now calls them “great” and “very brave” on social media.
Trump reverses Course on NATO Allies’ Role in Afghanistan
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The president initially cast doubt on the commitment of NATO allies, but has now lauded British troops following a conversation with the UK Prime Minister.
- President Trump initially questioned whether NATO allies adequately supported the US in Afghanistan.
- He claimed allies “stayed a little bit in the background and a little bit away from the front lines.”
- These comments sparked outrage from european leaders and veterans.
- Following a conversation with the UK Prime Minister, Trump praised British soldiers as “among the greatest warriors of all time.”
Former US President Trump recently made controversial statements about the contributions of NATO allies during the war in Afghanistan, suggesting they did not fully support the US effort. “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan,” Trump saeid. “And they did, but they stayed a little bit in the background and a little bit away from the front lines.”
These statements ignited anger and indignation among European leaders and veterans, including Dutch veterans. “Trump ignores the fact that we have lost men and women there,” said former Army Major Henry Beukers. “We worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the Americans on the front line.”
‘Utterly Terrible’
British Prime Minister Starmer condemned Trump’s words as “offensive and downright appalling” and urged the US president to apologize.
The United States suffered the most meaningful losses in Afghanistan, with approximately 2,500 American deaths. The United Kingdom experienced the next highest number of casualties, with 457 deaths. Trump’s statements were thus met with particular disapproval in the UK.
“Thousands of lives have been changed forever. mothers and fathers have buried their sons and daughters,” stated a message from Prince Harry, who served as a soldier in Afghanistan. “If Trump says they did nothing, why did they come back in a coffin?” a mother of a deceased British soldier told the BBC.
Starmer Speaks to Trump
Prime Minister Starmer spoke with Trump about the issue yesterday. “The Prime Minister has said that brave and heroic British and american soldiers fought side by side in Afghanistan and many never returned home. We must never forget the sacrifice they made,” a Downing Street statement said.
Following the conversation, Trump posted a message on his social media platform, Truth Social, appearing to retract his earlier statements regarding the british
