Donald Trump has praised British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan as “among the greatest of all warriors”, following criticism of his earlier claims that Nato troops avoided frontlines during the conflict. In a social media post on Saturday, the US president said the UK military is “second to none (except for the USA)” and that the bond between the two nations is “too strong to ever be broken”.
The remarks came a day after Trump faced backlash for stating that Nato allied troops “stayed a little off the frontlines” in Afghanistan. The controversy prompted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to raise the issue directly with Trump during a phone call on Saturday. Downing Street confirmed that Starmer highlighted the bravery and sacrifice of British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan.
During the call, the leaders also discussed the need for progress towards a sustainable ceasefire in Ukraine, as the conflict approaches its fourth year. Starmer reiterated the importance of international support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. The conversation also touched on bolstering security in the Arctic, which the Prime Minister described as an absolute priority for his government.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also criticised Trump’s initial comments, defending the memory of Italian soldiers killed and wounded in Afghanistan. She stated that Italy paid a “cost that is beyond dispute” with 53 soldiers killed and over 700 wounded. Meloni emphasised that “friendship requires respect” and that statements downplaying Nato allies’ contributions are unacceptable.
