Donald Trump has praised UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan after his claim that allied forces avoided the front lines prompted criticism from veterans and politicians.
Earlier this week Trump angered US allies by downplaying the role of NATO troops in the war and doubting whether the military alliance would be there for the US 'if we ever needed them'.
Trump's words drew condemnation from international allies, while Sir Keir Starmer called them 'insulting and frankly appalling'.
The UK Prime Minister spoke to Trump on Saturday, after which the US president used his Truth Social platform to praise UK troops as being 'among the greatest of all warriors'.
Trump was criticized for remarks he made during an interview with Fox News on Thursday in which the president said of NATO troops: 'We've never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.'
That triggered a huge backlash from the families of soldiers who served in Afghanistan, as well as veterans and politicians who called for Trump to apologize.
In October 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, who were harboring Osama Bin Laden, following the 9/11 attacks. NATO nations contributed troops to this US-led war, with over 3,500 coalition soldiers losing their lives and the UK bearing the second-highest military death toll in the conflict.
Following his conversation with the UK Prime Minister, Trump conveyed his respect for the UK’s military contributions, acknowledging that 'the great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America.' He reinforced the strong bond between the two nations.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed satisfaction with Trump’s acknowledgment of the UK's critical role in Afghanistan, suggesting it should have never been questioned in the first place. The dialogue around judgment of NATO sentiments continues as veterans and supporters weigh in on the respect due to those who’ve served.
