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Prince Harry and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized President Donald Trump for remarks downplaying NATO allies’ contributions in the Afghanistan war.
Harry, a British Army captain deployed twice to Afghanistan, said NATO allies answered the call when Article 5 was invoked for the first time.
“I served there. I made lifelong friends. And I lost friends,” Harry said. “The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed. Thousands of lives were changed forever.”
He added that these sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.
Trump’s Remarks
Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News during the World Economic Forum in Davos that NATO troops were “a little off the front lines.” He said the U.S. “never really asked anything” of NATO allies.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended the president, saying, “The United States has done more for NATO than any other country in the alliance combined.”
NATO Casualties and Reactions
More than 3,500 NATO troops died in Afghanistan, with nearly 2,500 being U.S. personnel. Other countries suffered losses proportionally. Britain lost 457 troops, while Denmark lost 44 soldiers, despite having smaller populations.
Prime Minister Starmer called Trump’s comments “insulting and frankly appalling”, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of British forces.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also criticized Trump, noting Poland lost 44 soldiers in the conflict. Tusk urged recognition of NATO allies’ contributions and sacrifices.
Ongoing Controversy
Trump has repeatedly questioned whether NATO members would aid the U.S. in future conflicts, despite the historic contributions of European allies after 9/11.
“The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money… but I question whether they’ll come to our rescue,” Trump said at the Davos forum.
The remarks have reignited debates about NATO’s role and the acknowledgment of allied sacrifices during military operations in Afghanistan.
