1 hour ago
Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 23:48 IST
Trump praised UK soldiers after backlash over his remarks on NATO's role in Afghanistan, prompting responses from Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch defending British troops.
The US President's post on social media was allegedly after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Trump on Saturday. (AFP)
After facing backlash over remarks on UK and NATO allies’ stand during the “war on terror" in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attack, US President Donald Trump on Saturday offered an olive branch to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump sparked widespread outrage across Europe after he suggested that NATO stayed “a little off the front lines" during the war in Afghanistan.
On Saturday, Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “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 U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!"
Several nations continued to maintain a presence even after that, at significant financial and human cost. It was for the first time in the alliance’s history, Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty was invoked, declaring that an attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said Trump had been “wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops" during two decades of war, while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called his remarks “flat-out nonsense."
“I consider President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I’m not surprised they’ve caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured," Starmer said, adding that had he misspoken in such a way that “I would certainly apologise."
According to Sky News, the UK PM likely spoke to Trump shortly before the US president’s TruthSocial post on Saturday.
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
January 24, 2026, 23:48 IST
News world After Backlash Over Afghan Taunt, Trump Shares 'Love You' Post For UK Soldiers
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