British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly criticised former US President Donald Trump over comments he made about the role of European troops in the Afghanistan war. Starmer said Trump’s remarks were insulting to allied soldiers who fought and died on the front lines. The issue has sparked fresh debate over NATO, military alliances, and the sacrifices made during the long Afghanistan conflict.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has openly criticised former United States President Donald Trump over comments related to the war in Afghanistan. In a rare and direct response aimed at a US leader, Starmer suggested that Trump should apologise for what he described as disrespectful and inaccurate statements about European troops, including British forces.

The controversy began after Trump spoke to the US broadcaster Fox News, where he claimed that NATO allies, especially European troops, stayed “a little off the front lines” during the Afghanistan war. His remarks quickly drew strong reactions from political leaders and veterans in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Speaking on Friday, Starmer did not hide his disappointment. He said Trump’s comments were “insulting and frankly appalling.” According to the British Prime Minister, such statements ignore the real sacrifices made by soldiers from allied countries who fought alongside US forces for many years in extremely dangerous conditions.

When asked by reporters whether he would demand an apology from Trump, Starmer responded carefully but firmly. He said that if he himself had spoken in such a manner or used similar words, he would “certainly apologise.” This statement clearly suggested that Trump should also take responsibility for what he said.

Starmer also took the opportunity to honour the memory of British soldiers who lost their lives during the Afghanistan conflict. He paid tribute to the 457 British military personnel who died after the United States led the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. That invasion began after the September 11 terrorist attacks on US soil, which killed thousands of people and changed global security policies forever.

The British Prime Minister stressed that these soldiers were not standing back or avoiding danger. Instead, they were actively involved in frontline combat, peacekeeping missions, and counter-terror operations. Many British families, Starmer noted, continue to live with the pain of losing loved ones, and comments that question their role or bravery are deeply hurtful.

The Afghanistan war lasted for two decades and involved troops from many NATO countries. Britain was one of the closest allies of the US during this period, sending thousands of soldiers and spending billions of pounds on military operations. British forces operated in some of the most dangerous regions, including Helmand province, where intense fighting took place.

Later on Friday, the White House responded to Starmer’s criticism and firmly rejected his comments. In a statement sent to the AFP news agency, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended Trump’s position.

She said that “President Trump is absolutely right” and argued that the United States has contributed more to NATO than any other country in the alliance. According to her statement, the US has spent more money and resources on NATO than all other member countries combined.

This response reflects a long-standing argument often made by Trump, who has repeatedly criticised NATO allies for not spending enough on defence. During his presidency, Trump frequently warned that the US should not bear the majority of the financial and military burden of the alliance.

Trump’s comments about Afghanistan came at a sensitive political moment. They followed his decision to withdraw a threat to impose tariffs on several European countries. These countries had opposed his demand that the United States take over Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump expressed doubts about NATO’s reliability. He said he was not sure whether NATO would support the United States if help was ever needed. “We’ve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them,” Trump said, once again questioning the value of the alliance.

These remarks added fuel to the debate over the future of NATO and the strength of transatlantic relations. Many European leaders believe that NATO has remained strong because of shared sacrifices, including joint military operations like the Afghanistan war.

For the UK, Trump’s statements struck a particularly emotional chord. The country has a long history of close military cooperation with the US, often described as a “special relationship.” British leaders across party lines have repeatedly highlighted the bravery and commitment of UK troops in international conflicts.

Political analysts say Starmer’s response is significant because British prime ministers usually avoid publicly criticising US presidents. By speaking out so strongly, Starmer may be trying to send a clear message that the UK will stand up for its armed forces and their legacy, regardless of political alliances.

As the debate continues, the issue has reopened painful memories of the Afghanistan war for many families in Britain and across Europe. It has also raised fresh questions about respect, responsibility, and truth in political statements made by world leaders.

While no formal apology has been issued so far, the exchange highlights growing tensions over how history is remembered and how sacrifices made by soldiers are acknowledged. For many in the UK, Starmer’s words were seen as a necessary defence of national honour and the courage of those who served on the front lines.