Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
European political and military figures have sharply criticised comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump in which he appeared to downplay the sacrifices of NATO allied nations during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. Speaking in an interview with Fox News in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said that NATO troops “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines” and claimed the United States had “never needed” its NATO partners, comments that have sparked widespread pushback from across Europe.
Trump’s remarks — which also included questioning whether allied nations would come to the United States’ aid if it were attacked — touched a raw nerve among leaders and veterans alike, especially in countries whose forces served alongside American troops in Afghanistan under NATO’s banner. The alliance’s collective defence clause, Article 5, was invoked for the first and only time after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, prompting a coordinated military response in Afghanistan in which hundreds of thousands of NATO soldiers took part over two decades.
British political leaders reacted forcefully, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissing the comments as “insulting and frankly appalling” and suggesting Trump should issue an apology for downplaying allied contributions. Starmer highlighted the human cost borne by the United Kingdom, where 457 British service personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan, and emphasised that these sacrifices deserve to be remembered with respect and accuracy.
Echoing this stance, junior British Minister Stephen Kinnock described Trump’s remarks as “deeply disappointing,” stressing that European forces made significant sacrifices in the conflict alongside U.S. troops and that insinuations of limited involvement misrepresent the historical record. Kinnock reminded audiences that countries such as the UK, Canada, France, Denmark and others suffered casualties and hardship fighting in dangerous theatres of the 20-year campaign.
The controversy drew reaction beyond British political circles. Prince Harry, who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan with the British Army, highlighted the personal loss and emotional toll experienced by veterans and families of fallen soldiers, emphasising that their sacrifices deserve truthful acknowledgement. His comments underscored how deeply the issue resonated with those directly impacted by the conflict.
At the same time, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte — speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum — directly rebuffed Trump’s suggestion that allied forces might not defend the U.S. if needed. Rutte reminded observers that NATO members did respond under Article 5 after the 9/11 attacks and that allied nations fought and died alongside American soldiers in Afghanistan, saying, “they will, and they did — in Afghanistan.”
The backlash was not confined to the UK. Across Europe, political commentators and defence officials characterised Trump’s remarks as undermining longstanding transatlantic solidarity, with some suggesting they could strain relations between Washington and its key partners at a time when NATO cohesion is viewed as critical to addressing global security challenges.
Trump’s comments in Davos form part of a broader pattern of scepticism toward NATO and European defence commitments that he has expressed in recent months, including questioning the alliance’s mutual defence assurances and financial contributions. While his supporters argue that Europe should take on greater responsibility for its own defence, critics contend that diminishing the role of long-standing military partnerships risks damaging Western unity and mutual trust.
The controversy has reignited debate about the nature of allied commitments, the historical record of military cooperation, and how leaders publicly frame the contributions of partner nations in conflicts like Afghanistan. With NATO repeatedly cited as one of the most successful collective defence arrangements in history, allies appear determined to defend both the factual record and the honour of those who served under its flag.
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