Washington: After facing criticism in Britain over a statement regarding Afghanistan, US President Donald Trump has softened his stance. In a new post on social media on Saturday, Trump openly praised the bravery of British soldiers who served in Afghanistan.
Previous statement sparked outrage
Recently, during an interview, Trump commented that some NATO soldiers who accompanied American troops during the Afghanistan mission stayed behind the front lines. This statement, which included a reference to British soldiers, provoked a strong reaction in Britain. Anger was particularly widespread among families whose members were killed or seriously wounded in the Afghan conflict.
British Prime Minister expressed strong objection
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump’s statement insulting and publicly demanded an apology. He said that British and American soldiers fought side-by-side in Afghanistan, and many soldiers did not return home after serving their country.
Trump changes his tune on social media
Following the controversy, Trump shared a new message on Truth Social. In it, he said that soldiers from the United Kingdom have always stood with the United States and are incredibly courageous. Trump called the 457 British soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan and the wounded soldiers there “the greatest of all warriors.”
Emphasized US-UK military relations
In his post, Trump also said that the relationship between the US and British armed forces is incredibly strong and that this relationship can never be weakened. He described Britain as America’s strongest military ally after the US and praised its “heart and soul.”
Apology still uncertain
However, Trump did not directly apologize for his previous statement, nor did he retract those comments. According to the British Prime Minister’s office, the issue was raised during a conversation between the two leaders on Saturday. The discussion also included topics such as the war in Ukraine and security in the Arctic region.
Appeal not to forget the sacrifices
The British Prime Minister’s office said that the sacrifices of British and American soldiers who fought in Afghanistan should never be forgotten. According to the statement, they were all true heroes who supported each other even in difficult circumstances.
