WHITE HOUSE: US President Donald Trump taking to his social media platform Truth Social Sat (24th Jan, 2025) proclaimed that UK soldiers were ‘among greatest of all warriors’.
It may be recalled that on 22nd Jan, President Donald Trump, while talking to Fox News about NATO soldiers uttered: “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.” While NATO members condemned the statement, UK PM called his accusation insulting. Following a phone call from British premier, Trump realised his mistake and used Truth Social to contain the issue.
Donald Trump, instead of directly apologising for his earlier statement, posted: “The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!”
US President Donald Trump, while commenting on the role of NATO forces during Afghan War, stated in Davos: “We’ve never needed them. We have 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 back, a little off the front lines.”
Republican Congressman Don Bacon, reacting to President’s comments, maintained that Trump was wrong and “probably does not know the truth…I know first-hand that our European allies fought side by side with us in Afghanistan and Iraq, and lost many wonderful sons and daughters.” Don Bacon, who had served with British troops, said he was “personally grateful to the UK.”
Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, stated: “In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first—and only—time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call. I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there.
“The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed. Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.”
British PM Keir Starmer calling Donald Trump’s remarks insulting and appalling suggested the US president should apologise. Paying tribute to the 457 members of the British armed forces who were killed in Afghanistan and those injured, the PM said he will never forget their sacrifice and bravery.
Former Nato supreme allied commander (retired US Navy admiral) James Stavridis responded by means of X: “I visited Nato troops in Afghanistan. Denmark and Canada fought on the front lines with us and suffered major casualties. We need our allies but are driving them away!”
Informing that hundreds of allied troops died between 2009-2013 on the front lines in Afghanistan, under his command, James Stavridis mused: “I honour their memory every single day.” Ex US Envoy to China, Nicholas Burns termed remarks by President Donald Trump as ‘shameful’.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that Polish soldiers served on the front line in Afghanistan and no one had the right to mock the service of their soldiers. Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz asserted that “contribution of Polish troops in Afghanistan must not be diminished”.
Taking to the X, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz informed that 33,000 Polish troops served in Afghanistan war and 44 of them were killed: “Poland has always been, is, and will be a responsible and reliable ally…
“ that, at the moment when security is threatened, stands in its defence...The Polish Army, arm in arm with its allies, took part, among others, in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is present today in missions and operations conducted by Nato…Tragic moments, when our soldiers died,..
“showed that in defence of international security, of Poland’s security, we are ready to pay the highest price. This sacrifice will never be forgotten and must not be diminished. Poland is a reliable and proven ally, and nothing will change that.”
Newspakistan.tv
