"The great and very brave soldiers of Britain will always stand with the US. In Afghanistan, 457 died and many were seriously wounded. They are among the greatest fighters. This bond is too strong to be broken," US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on 24/1.

He also emphasized that the British military possesses "great heart and soul" and is second to no other military force, except the US.

This marks a notable shift from comments President Trump made in an interview published on 22/1. He had previously stated that NATO allies sent service members to support the US in Afghanistan, but claimed these forces were only "behind, a little far from the front lines."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 23/1 criticized President Trump's remarks as "truly offensive and appalling." A spokesperson for Prime Minister Starmer confirmed that the British leader discussed the issue with President Trump in a phone call on 24/1.

"The Prime Minister mentioned the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side-by-side, many of whom never returned home," the spokesperson stated. "We must never forget their sacrifice."

US President Donald Trump arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on 22/1. Photo: AP

Britain and several allies joined the US in the war targeting al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, after Washington activated NATO's collective defense clause in response to the 11/9/2001 terrorist attacks. This marked the first time in history that the clause was invoked.

Britain was not the only NATO ally to express anger over the US leader's initial statements. Other European leaders on 24/1 also reacted sharply, reiterating their soldiers' contributions.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni noted that 53 Italian soldiers died and over 700 service members were wounded during NATO's nearly 20-year operation in Afghanistan.

"Therefore, statements that diminish the contributions of NATO nations in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an ally," she emphasized.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recalled attending a memorial for 5 Polish soldiers killed in Afghanistan in 2011. "The American officers who accompanied me then said that the US would never forget the Polish heroes. Perhaps they will remind President Trump of that fact," he wrote on social media platform X.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office deemed Trump's comments "unacceptable" and "not worthy of a response." According to the French government, approximately 90 French soldiers died in Afghanistan.

Beyond Britain, France, Italy, and Poland, soldiers from other nations such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada also died in Afghanistan.

Pham Giang (According to AFP)