German defense minister urges Trump to apologize over NATO Afghanistan remarks
BERLIN: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has called on US President Donald Trump to apologize for remarks suggesting that America’s NATO allies in Afghanistan avoided frontline service, joining growing criticism from European politicians and military veterans.
Trump sparked outrage among US allies last week when he told Fox Business Network that the United States had “never needed” the transatlantic alliance and accused allied nations of staying “a little off the front lines” during operations in Afghanistan.
“It’s just not right and it’s disrespectful to talk about the dead of your allies in that way. They all stood there, at the side of the United States. To claim something else today is simply not true,” Pistorius said during a talk show appearance on Germany’s ARD public broadcaster late Sunday.
Thousands of German troops participated in NATO’s Operation Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support missions in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States. Fifty-nine German service members lost their lives in the missions.
Pistorius said he would raise the issue during his next conversation with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and urged Trump to offer an apology. “That would be a sign of decency, respect and also insight,” he said.
Other European leaders have also expressed criticism, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described Trump’s comments as “frankly appalling,” departing from his usual caution in criticizing the US president.
While Trump praised “brave” British soldiers on Saturday, he offered no apology for his earlier remarks and did not acknowledge the sacrifices of other NATO allies. Britain lost 457 personnel in Afghanistan.
Trump administration officials have long criticized European nations for not meeting NATO spending targets and for relying too heavily on the US for defense.
Pistorius, leading efforts to rebuild Germany’s armed forces, said Europe must recognize it cannot depend on the United States as it has for the past 70 years. He added that the German military is on an “excellent path” to regaining full operational strength by 2029.
