The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that NATO allies did not fight adequately alongside American forces in Afghanistan.
“Let me start by honoring the 457 members of our armed forces who lost their lives in Afghanistan. I will never forget their courage, bravery, and the sacrifice they made for their country,” Starmer said, according to The Guardian.
He added:
“There are many others who were injured, some with life-changing injuries. Therefore, I consider President Trump’s comments offensive and, frankly, horrifying.”
Starmer also noted that he was not surprised that these remarks caused so much pain to the families of those who were killed or wounded, and indeed across the country.
When asked about a request from the mother of a soldier who suffered serious injuries in Afghanistan—who wanted the Prime Minister to be tougher toward Trump and demand an apology—Starmer replied:
“Well, I have made my position clear. What I would tell [the soldier’s mother] is that if I had spoken in such a way by mistake, or if I had said those words, I would certainly apologize and ask her forgiveness.”
Earlier, President Trump had said:
“We never really needed them [the allied soldiers]. We never really asked anything of them. You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. And they did—they stayed a little behind, a little off the front lines.”
Starmer’s strong response underscores the UK government’s respect for its military personnel and its objection to any remarks that undermine the contributions of NATO allies in Afghanistan.
