PNN – The German Defense Minister described the US President’s recent statements about the role of NATO allies in Afghanistan as “disrespectful” to the fallen soldiers and emphasized that a formal apology could be a sign of respect for the victims’ families.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, the German Defense Minister demanded an apology from US President Donald Trump for his recent statements about the Afghanistan mission, saying that these insulting remarks are disrespectful to the soldiers of NATO allies who have lost their lives alongside American forces.
Boris Pistorius stated in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening: Apologizing to the families of fallen soldiers would be a sign of honor, respect, and also an understanding of reality. He described Trump’s criticism as “inappropriate and offensive.”
Last week, in an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that the United States never needed NATO forces in Afghanistan and also claimed that allied forces refused to be on the front lines during the war.
The remarks were met with a sharp and angry reaction from America’s European allies, particularly in Denmark, Germany, and Britain, countries whose military forces suffered significant casualties during the 20-year mission in Afghanistan.
The German Defense Minister emphasized that all NATO partners stood by the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, adding: To claim otherwise today is simply not true.
The September 11 attacks were the only time NATO invoked Article 5 of its treaty, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. In the aftermath, member states sent thousands of troops to Afghanistan.
Pistorius also responded to a question about whether he would raise the issue directly with US Secretary of War Pete Hegsett, saying: Absolutely, as soon as I see him.
According to the report, Germany lost 59 soldiers during its mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. Britain suffered 457 combat deaths and Denmark suffered 43 deaths in the mission.