LONDON — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly criticized US President Donald Trump on Friday for remarks claiming that NATO troops “stayed a little back” from the front lines in Afghanistan. Starmer described the comments as “insulting” and “appalling,” sparking outrage across the political spectrum in the United Kingdom.
In an interview aired Thursday on Fox News, Trump appeared unaware that 457 British soldiers died while serving in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks. He claimed that NATO allies sent troops but implied they avoided direct combat.
“They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan. And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines,” Trump said, adding that NATO might not aid the US if requested.
Starmer responded with a tribute to fallen soldiers. “Let me start by paying tribute to 457 of our armed services who lost their lives in Afghanistan,” Starmer said in a video message. He also noted the many injured troops, some with life-changing injuries, and stressed that Trump’s comments caused unnecessary pain for their families.
Starmer said, “If I had misspoken in such a way, I would certainly apologize.”
The White House defended Trump, with spokeswoman Taylor Rogers claiming, “President Trump is absolutely right — the United States of America has done more for NATO than any other country in the alliance has done combined.”
Global Reactions
International allies swiftly pushed back. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized respect for veterans, noting Poland lost 43 soldiers in Afghanistan. French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin highlighted that 90 French troops died alongside NATO allies, praising their sacrifice.
In the UK, Defence Minister John Healey called fallen soldiers “heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.” Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan, described Trump’s comments as “utterly ridiculous.” Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch warned that such statements could undermine NATO.
Even Nigel Farage, a long-time Trump supporter, rejected the remarks: “Donald Trump is wrong. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America’s in Afghanistan,” he wrote on X.
Families and veterans weighed in as well. Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died at 18, called the comments “extremely upsetting.” Prince Harry, a veteran of two frontline tours, said, “Thousands of lives were changed forever… Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.”
Afghanistan Casualties
According to official figures, 405 of the 457 British casualties were killed in hostile action. The UK deployed over 150,000 personnel between 2001 and 2021, making it the second-largest contributor to the US-led coalition. The US suffered over 2,400 military deaths during the same period.
Trump’s remarks have reignited debate about the recognition of allied contributions in NATO operations and highlighted sensitivities over the sacrifices made in decades-long conflicts.
