Danish Veterans Slam Trump's Remarks on NATO Allies' Role in Afghanistan

Kathmandu. U.S. President Donald Trump's recent public remarks suggesting that NATO allies were distant from the frontline in Afghanistan have drawn criticism.

“The Danish veterans stated that no words can describe how painful this accusation is, and I know this,” he wrote on the social networking site Facebook.

He added, “It is unacceptable for the U.S. President to question the commitment of allied soldiers in Afghanistan.” The 'Danish Veterans Association' had previously stated that no words would be sufficient to criticize Trump's remarks.

The association's statement read, “Denmark has always stood by the United States, and when the U.S. requested, we stood in crisis areas around the world.”

In response to Trump's comments, Danish veterans are calling for a silent demonstration in Copenhagen on January 31.

The Prime Minister of Denmark stated, “Denmark is one of the NATO countries that has suffered the most losses per capita.”

Denmark's population was approximately 5.4 million in 2003, and according to the Danish news agency Ritzau, around 12,000 Danish soldiers and civilians were sent to Afghanistan in recent years.

“Dear enlightened friends, I stand with your families and your loved ones, who are in no way deserving of criticism,” he added.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump had stated that NATO sent some troops to Afghanistan. “They sent troops, but they were positioned a little behind the frontline,” he said. This comment caused outrage in the UK, which lost 457 soldiers during the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Soldiers from countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark also suffered significant casualties in the conflict.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday, “I find President Trump's comments insulting and clearly worrying. There is no doubt that they hurt the loved ones of those killed or wounded in the Afghan war, just as they hurt me.”

The White House defended Trump, rejecting Starmer's comments.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said, “President Trump is absolutely correct. The United States has done more for the NATO alliance than any other country.”