U.S. President Donald Trump issued a public tribute to British soldiers who served in the Afghanistan war on Saturday, describing them as “very brave” and “among the greatest of all warriors” after earlier remarks about allied combat roles provoked widespread condemnation in the United Kingdom and beyond.

The comments followed criticism of a recent interview in which Trump suggested NATO troops had remained “a little off the frontlines” during the conflict, a characterisation that British politicians, military figures and veterans said was inaccurate and hurtful to those who served and the families of the 457 UK personnel who died in Afghanistan.

After speaking with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump posted on social media that the “GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America” and affirmed the enduring bond between the U.S. and UK militaries, saying it was “too strong to ever be broken.”

He acknowledged the sacrifice of those killed and wounded in Afghanistan and emphasised the “tremendous Heart and Soul” of the UK armed forces, adding that they were “second to none (except for the U.S.A.!).”

While Trump did not formally retract his earlier remarks or issue a direct apology, his statement appeared aimed at addressing the diplomatic strain caused by the initial comments, which had elicited sharp rebukes from Sir Keir Starmer, who called them “insulting and frankly appalling,” and prompted calls from other leaders and veterans for respect for allied contributions.

In the United Kingdom, officials confirmed that the prime minister had raised the issue directly with Trump during their conversation, reinforcing the shared history of cooperation between British and American forces in Afghanistan and the importance of honouring those who fought alongside each other in challenging and prolonged operations.