U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday praised British troops as “among the greatest of all warriors” to fight in the Afghan war, seeking to ease tensions a day after comments attributed to him sparked outrage among UK officials and NATO allies.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump lauded the long-standing military bond between the two countries. “The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!” he wrote. “It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The UK Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!).”
The remarks followed a sharp backlash over earlier comments in which Trump was reported to have said NATO allied forces in Afghanistan had stayed “a little off the front lines,” a characterization British leaders strongly rejected. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling,” stressing that British troops had fought and died alongside American forces during the two-decade-long conflict.
According to Downing Street, Starmer and Trump spoke by phone on Saturday in an effort to defuse the dispute. The leaders discussed “the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan,” reaffirming their shared respect for the sacrifices made by service members from both nations.
The call also addressed broader strategic issues, including the importance of the UK-U.S. relationship at a time of growing global instability. Starmer and Trump discussed the need for a ceasefire in Ukraine, where the war continues to reshape European and transatlantic security priorities.
In addition, the two leaders talked about “the need for bolstered security in the Arctic,” a region that has gained increasing strategic importance amid rising competition between NATO members and Russia, as well as growing interest from China.
Trump’s conciliatory tone toward Britain comes against the backdrop of a tense week in relations between Washington and several NATO allies. Earlier, the U.S. president had threatened tariffs against some partners in a dispute linked to Greenland, a strategically vital Arctic territory. The threat was later withdrawn after an agreement was reached granting the United States expanded access to the island.
While Trump’s praise of British forces appeared aimed at repairing diplomatic damage, the episode has highlighted lingering strains within NATO as allies navigate contentious rhetoric alongside deep-rooted military and political ties.
