Starmer: Trump's comments on the role of NATO in Afghanistan are humiliating and require an apology

SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with Britain following controversial remarks that questioned the role of his country's allies in NATO in the Afghanistan war. This prompted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to attack him with harsh words rarely used in his diplomatic speech, describing the U.S. President's words as "humiliating and horrendous," and calling for an immediate apology.

On Friday, Starmer condemned Trump's "humiliating" statements regarding NATO forces' avoidance of frontline combat in Afghanistan, asserting that what Trump said merits an apology.

In statements to British media, Starmer said, "I consider President Trump's remarks to be humiliating and frankly shocking, and I am not surprised they have caused this much hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured."

He added that if he had made such a statement, he would have certainly "apologized."

The Labour Prime Minister praised the 457 British soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan and their injured comrades, stating, "I will not forget their courage, bravery, and sacrifices they made for their country."

The UK suffered the second-highest death toll in Afghanistan after the U.S., which lost over 2,400 soldiers.

More than 150,000 members of the British armed forces were deployed to Afghanistan between September 2001 and August 2021. Among those was Prince Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, who served twice, first from 2007 to 2008 for ten weeks, and then from September 2012 to January 2013.

Starmer's spokesperson was more explicit in condemning the President's statements, telling journalists, "The President was wrong to downplay the role of NATO forces, including British forces in Afghanistan," noting that "their sacrifices and those of other coalition forces were for NATO's security."

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace quickly responded to Trump's remarks via X (formerly Twitter), writing: "The UK and NATO allies answered the call of the United States, and more than 450 British personnel have lost their lives in Afghanistan."

Wallace added: "These British soldiers should be remembered for what they truly are: heroes who gave their lives in service to our nation."

For his part, Deputy Defence Minister Alex Carlyle, a former Royal Marine officer, described Trump's comments as "truly shameful" and "completely ridiculous," in a clear indication of the British military's rejection of such downplaying of sacrifices.

Prince Harry said in a statement, "The lives of thousands have changed forever. Mothers and fathers have lost their sons and daughters," emphasizing that "these sacrifices deserve to be remembered with honesty and respect."

Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned the U.S. President's "shameful remarks" via X, adding that they are "incorrect... undermine NATO, and disrespect the memory of the brave soldiers who served in that country."

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, the leader of the anti-immigration Reform Party, a strong supporter of Trump, deemed the Republican President to have "erred."

He stated, "For 20 years, our armed forces fought bravely alongside American troops."

Among other allied nations that participated in the Afghanistan war was Canada, which lost 158 soldiers, according to government data.

Forty-four Danish soldiers died in Afghanistan, including 37 in combat.

France, which had a military presence in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014 peaking at 4,000 troops, lost 89 soldiers.

French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on X, "We remember their sacrifices which deserve respect."

Trump criticized other NATO member countries' roles in the 20-year conflict during an interview with Fox News on Thursday, arguing that the United States "never needed them at all."

He said that NATO forces "stayed away from the front lines" in Afghanistan during the U.S.-led intervention after the September 11, 2001 attacks to uproot al-Qaeda.

He added that he is "not sure" NATO "would be there if Washington needed it at any time," dismissively stating, "We never needed them."

Trump took it further when discussing the involvement of European forces in the Afghanistan war following the September 11 attacks, claiming that allies "sent some troops, but they stayed a little back, retreating from the front lines."

These remarks came at a highly sensitive time, as transatlantic relations are at their worst in years, especially after Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Britain over its position on Greenland, alongside his sharp criticism of the London Agreement regarding the future of the Chagos Islands.