Trump pays tribute to ‘very brave’ UK soldiers after backlash over Afghanistan remarks

It comes after major criticism from UK veterans, their families and politicians

Trump then backtracked on his comments as he praised "very brave" British soldiers who served in Afghanistan following fierce criticism of his claims that non-US troops had stayed back from the frontline.

He now said Britons "were among the greatest of all warriors" as he acknowledged the 457 who died and many "badly injured", per Sky News.

"The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"It's a bond too strong to ever be broken," the president added.

"The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!"

His praise comes after he falsely stated that NATO troops had "stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines" in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had quickly deemed the remarks "insulting and frankly appalling", while Prince Harry also spoke out in defence of the UK troops.

Prince Harry, who himself served two tours of Afghanistan, said British "sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect".

Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer spoke with President Trump shortly before the president made his social media post on Saturday, January 25.

"The prime minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice," said a statement.

Trump made the controversial remarks earlier this week while speaking to Fox News at the World Economic Forum, questioning whether NATO would “be there if we ever needed them”.

"We've never needed them," the US president said.

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines."

It didn’t take long for criticism from UK veterans, their families and politicians to follow.

Al Carns, the armed forces minister and a former Royal Marines officer who served in Afghanistan, called the claims “utterly ridiculous”.