Trump praises UK troops after NATO Afghan comments fury

US President Donald Trump says UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan were “among the greatest of all warriors” after previously drawing criticism for stating NATO troops stayed away from the front lines during the conflict.

In a post on social media on Saturday, Trump said: “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. The UK military, with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA).

“We love you all, and always will!”

It came a day after Trump was criticised for his remarks to the Fox Business Network that NATO allied troops stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised the comments directly with Trump in a conversation on Saturday, Downing Street said.

Speaking in Downing Street on Friday, Starmer described the remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling,” adding that he is “not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured”.

Prince Harry also weighed in on the comments and said the “sacrifices” of UK soldiers “deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect”.

Opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Trump’s comments were “complete nonsense,” adding that it is a “disgrace” to “denigrate” the memory of soldiers who died in the conflict.

On Saturday, she posted on X that she is “pleased” the president has “now acknowledged the role of the British armed forces and those brave men and women who gave their lives fighting alongside the US and our allies”.

She added: “It should never have been questioned in the first place.”

The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths - 457 - in the Afghanistan conflict behind the US, which had 2461 deaths.

with AP