UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired back at Donald Trump over comments that NATO allies weren't on the front lines in Afghanistan, calling them "insulting and frankly appalling".
In a rare direct rebuke of the US president, Starmer stated that if he had misspoken in a similar manner, he would have apologized. The British prime minister also paid tribute to the 457 UK personnel who lost their lives after joining the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
Trump's comments were part of a larger spat over his demands that the US take control of Greenland and tariffs on European countries opposing him. The US president stated that NATO allies hadn't asked for much, saying "we've never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them".
However, European leaders were swift to condemn Trump's remarks, with Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel calling his comments untrue and disrespectful. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Poland would not be swayed from its commitment to NATO.
Prince Harry also weighed in on the issue, saying that British soldiers who fought alongside US forces in Afghanistan deserved "to be spoken about truthfully and with respect". He noted that thousands of lives were changed forever and families are left carrying the cost.
Meanwhile, the White House rejected Starmer's criticism of Trump, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers stating that President Trump is right in asserting that the US has done more for NATO than any other country. The comments have sparked tension between Europe and the US over issues such as tariffs and territorial control.
More than 150,000 UK armed forces personnel served in Afghanistan, alongside troops from dozens of countries including France, Germany, Italy, and Canada. The cost of the war is estimated to be around $2 trillion, with at least 46,319 Afghan civilians killed directly as a result of the invasion.
In a rare direct rebuke of the US president, Starmer stated that if he had misspoken in a similar manner, he would have apologized. The British prime minister also paid tribute to the 457 UK personnel who lost their lives after joining the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
Trump's comments were part of a larger spat over his demands that the US take control of Greenland and tariffs on European countries opposing him. The US president stated that NATO allies hadn't asked for much, saying "we've never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them".
However, European leaders were swift to condemn Trump's remarks, with Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel calling his comments untrue and disrespectful. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Poland would not be swayed from its commitment to NATO.
Prince Harry also weighed in on the issue, saying that British soldiers who fought alongside US forces in Afghanistan deserved "to be spoken about truthfully and with respect". He noted that thousands of lives were changed forever and families are left carrying the cost.
Meanwhile, the White House rejected Starmer's criticism of Trump, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers stating that President Trump is right in asserting that the US has done more for NATO than any other country. The comments have sparked tension between Europe and the US over issues such as tariffs and territorial control.
More than 150,000 UK armed forces personnel served in Afghanistan, alongside troops from dozens of countries including France, Germany, Italy, and Canada. The cost of the war is estimated to be around $2 trillion, with at least 46,319 Afghan civilians killed directly as a result of the invasion.
this Trump guy is always stirring up drama... I mean who does he think he is saying NATO allies aren't doin' their fair share? 
newsflash: all countries contribute somethin to the table, but you gotta acknowledge that some of us are doin way more heavy lifting than others 
. It's not about bein asked or not asked, it's about gettin the job done. Like what really hurts is him dissin the 457 UK personnel who lost their lives over there... those guys didn't ask for a fight either 
anyway just another day in international relations and you're left wonderin if anyone's actually payin attention to the big picture 
I mean, come on, dude, you're basically saying that everyone else is just a doormat for the US. It's like, no thanks, buddy! 
I'm so proud of him for speaking up about our brave soldiers who fought alongside US forces in Afghanistan. Like, those guys put their lives on the line and deserve nothing but respect 
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. He's all like "we've never asked anything" from NATO allies, but what about when they need help? What about when we're in a sticky situation? Do we just sit back and do nothing? I don't think so 
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. Can you even imagine the cost of that war if it was like, a regular thing instead of some one-time deal? 
457 uk personnel is no joke! and to think that thousands of other lives were changed forever... it's just heartbreaking. prince harry said it best, tbh. we should be respecting & thanking our troops for serving alongside us, not tearing them down 
. And what really gets me is that he's questioning the bravery of the soldiers who lost their lives fighting for NATO and Europe? Like, what even is that? 
I've got so much respect for Prince Harry speaking out about this - it's not just about the politicians, it's about honoring those who fought for a cause they believed in 
. And let's be real, Trump's comments are not only untrue but also super hurtful to all the families who lost loved ones in that war 
Starmer is totally right to call him out on this - it's not like he's some expert in international relations 
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Those 457 lives lost are not something to be taken lightly 
- our soldiers deserve respect and truthfulness about the sacrifices they made 
. The US president might want to take a seat on this one 
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. I mean, who does he think he is? He's got no business belittling people who are willing to put their lives on the line for their countries. Those UK personnel who lost their lives in Afghanistan deserved way more respect than Trump's careless words. And let's not forget all the other brave soldiers from France, Germany, Italy, and Canada too...it's like he thinks they were just there for a cup of tea 
. It's time for some diplomacy and class, Mr. Trump! 
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