The UK government has pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that NATO troops avoided front-line fighting in Afghanistan, calling the assertion “wrong” and misleading, according to Downing Street.
A spokesperson for the British Prime Minister said NATO forces, including thousands of British and allied troops, served and died on the front lines alongside U.S. forces during the two-decade conflict. The statement emphasized that NATO partners bore significant casualties and carried out combat operations, counter-terrorism missions, and training roles across Afghanistan.
Trump had suggested that NATO countries did not share the burden of fighting, a remark that has angered veterans, military officials, and allied governments. UK officials stressed that British troops played a central role in Helmand province and other key areas, with the UK being one of the largest contributors to the NATO-led mission.
Military experts say the comments risk undermining alliance unity and misrepresent the realities of coalition warfare. They note that NATO allies collectively lost thousands of personnel and spent billions of dollars supporting operations, training Afghan forces, and stabilizing the country.
Veterans’ groups in the UK also criticized the remarks, saying they diminish the sacrifices made by service members and their families. Several former military leaders called for respectful and fact-based discussions about the war and the role of allied forces.
The response from Downing Street comes amid broader tensions between the U.S. and its allies over defence commitments and burden-sharing. NATO officials have repeatedly highlighted that the Afghanistan mission was one of the alliance’s largest and longest deployments, involving troops from dozens of member states.
While Trump’s comments have sparked political controversy, UK officials reiterated that the alliance remains strong and that NATO cooperation is essential for global security.