UK PM slams Trump’s Afghanistan remarks as “insulting and appalling”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an unusually direct rebuke to US President Donald Trump, describing his remarks about British troops in Afghanistan as “insulting and frankly appalling” and indicating that an apology would be appropriate. 

The criticism followed comments by Trump in interviews and public appearances, suggesting that British and NATO troops in Afghanistan had stayed away from the frontlines. The remarks prompted widespread anger among veterans, bereaved families, and politicians across the UK and Europe. Starmer said he was not surprised that families of fallen soldiers were deeply hurt by the comments.

Speaking after an emergency EU summit in Brussels, Starmer paid tribute to the 457 British service members who died during the Afghanistan conflict, as well as those who suffered life-changing injuries. He said their courage and sacrifice should never be questioned and stressed that Britain fought alongside the US in Afghanistan as part of a close security partnership.

Asked whether Trump should apologise, Starmer said that if he himself had spoken in such a way, he would certainly do so. At the same time, he underlined the importance of maintaining strong ties with Washington, noting that the transatlantic relationship remains vital to UK security.

The dispute comes amid broader tensions between London, Brussels and Washington. Earlier in the week, Trump criticised the UK for agreeing to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling the move a “great act of stupidity”. The UK government subsequently delayed related legislation in the House of Lords, officially citing parliamentary tactics by the opposition.

Trump’s Afghanistan comments drew condemnation across the UK political spectrum. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called them “flat-out nonsense”, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Trump was wrong to question the bravery of British forces. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey accused Trump of hypocrisy, pointing to his own avoidance of military service during the Vietnam war.

Senior defence figures also pushed back. Defence Secretary John Healey said UK and NATO allies had answered the US call and that the fallen should be remembered as heroes. Armed forces minister Al Carns, a former marine who served multiple tours in Afghanistan, dismissed the claims as “utterly ridiculous”.

International criticism followed, including from Poland and Denmark, both of which suffered significant losses in Afghanistan. Despite the backlash, the White House rejected the criticism, insisting that the US has contributed more to NATO than any other ally.

By Tamilla Hasanova