Published on 23/01/2026 – 14:42 GMT+1
The UK government expressed strong disapproval on Friday following comments made by Donald Trump regarding NATO troops’ involvement in Afghanistan. During a recent interview with Fox News, Trump suggested that NATO allies, including British forces, did not actively engage on the front lines of the conflict, a statement that has incited considerable backlash.
Response from UK Officials
In the interview, Trump inaccurately noted, “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.” This statement disregards the significant sacrifices made by British soldiers, with 457 of them losing their lives during the Afghanistan conflict that followed the September 11 attacks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson emphasized that the contributions of British forces and their NATO allies were critical in the service of collective security. “Their sacrifice and that of other NATO forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally,” the spokesperson stated, adding, “We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Personal Accounts and Criticism
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock indicated that Starmer would likely address these comments directly with Trump. He noted, “I think he will, I’m sure, be raising this issue with the president… He’s incredibly proud of our armed forces and he will make that clear to the president.” Kinnock further highlighted that the invocation of NATO’s Article 5 was a direct response to the 9/11 attacks, when allies rallied to support the United States.
Defence Minister John Healey reaffirmed the gravity of the situation, stating, “The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.” He called these troops “heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.”
Lucy Aldridge, who lost her son William at the age of 18 in Afghanistan, expressed her distress over Trump’s remarks, describing them as “extremely upsetting.” Meanwhile, Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, characterized Trump’s statements as “so much more than a mistake,” adding, “It’s an absolute insult. It’s an insult to 457 families who lost someone in Afghanistan. How dare he say we weren’t on the front line?”
According to official UK statistics, 405 out of the 457 British casualties in Afghanistan resulted from hostile military actions, while US losses exceeded 2,400 soldiers.