Summary
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized President Donald Trump for saying European troops did not engage in front-line combat during the Afghanistan war. Starmer called these comments "insulting" since many European troops, including British soldiers, played significant roles in the conflict. Trump's remarks have caused concern among European allies.
Key Facts
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer asked President Trump to apologize for comments about European troops in Afghanistan.
- Trump stated NATO allies stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan, which Starmer found disrespectful.
- The UK was the second-largest contributor to the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, with 150,000 personnel serving.
- Trump's remarks came after he discussed NATO and European relations at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- NATO's collective defense clause, Article 5, was triggered after the September 11 attacks, involving troops from many countries.
- Trump's comments upset European countries, including the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark, which all lost troops in Afghanistan.
- Transatlantic relations were strained due to Trump's previous threats to impose tariffs on European countries and annex Greenland.
