Former Danish soldier Caspar Stefani criticized Donald Trump's comments (Image: Supplied/Getty)
A Danish veteran who fought side-by-side with British soldiers in Afghanistan has slammed Donald Trump for saying NATO troops avoided the frontline. The US President falsely claimed alliance forces “stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines” in Afghanistan, sparking outrage from veterans, military families and politicians.
Former Danish army soldier Caspar Stefani said Mr Trump's comments are “simply offensive” and suggested Washington would need to “come on all fours and beg” for NATO support in the future.
The 35-year-old, who is now a local councillor, told the Express: “We were there the only time Article 5 [attack against one member, is an attack on all] was enacted and we were there every time thereafter. I'm no snowflake, I am a conservative and I served for nine years in the Danish army but this is too much.
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Casper Stefani served in the Danish army for 9 years and is now a local councillor (Image: Supplied)
“Brits and the Danes were there from day one in Iraq and Afghanistan even if there was no national interest, especially for us Danes, we were there because our ally needed us.
“The idea that we were there as support troops is simply offensive.”
Mr Stefani was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, before moving to Denmark aged 10.
Donald Trump has been criticized for his comments (Image: Getty)
He was deployed to the Taliban heartland of Helmand Province alongside the British Army in 2012.
During a patrol, he and his comrades were blown up by a command-wire improvised explosive device (IED).
“We had IEDs every time we were out patrolling,” Mr. Stefani said.
“It was definitely not peaceful and it most certainly was on the frontline. It was full of Taliban, they tried to blow us up and engaged us in regular firefights.
“Remember, we lost 43 soldiers in Afghanistan which per capita is about the same as the Americans.”
Mr Stefani suggested he looks back at his time in Afghanistan with mixed feelings and warned Mr Trump's comments will only further weaken relations between the US and the rest of NATO.
He told the Express: “My service in Afghanistan has had bumps since we abandoned the country, which let's not forget, was an American decision.
“I am lucky I have my arms and legs, but I am thinking of the family of those who died there.
“Next time they need our help, as a country we will think: is it worth it? Should we stand in solidarity? This will hurt them in the long term. One day they will need their allies and who knows if too much damage has been done.
“I think this highlights to Europeans the need to make a point to the Americans and look for other ways to secure our values and our security. That is the consequence of this. To repair this, they will have to come on all fours and beg for that.”
British soldier during fighting in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (Image: Getty)
The Taliban quickly retook control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of NATO forces as a result of a US decision to leave the country.
The US, supported by NATO allies including the UK, invaded Afghanistan in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks.
The invasion remains the only time NATO's Article 5 mutual defense agreement has ever been triggered.
During the conflict, 457 British troops died, with hundreds more suffering serious injuries — only the US suffered more fatalities.
Mr Trump's comments have drawn criticism from across the UK political spectrum.
Downing Street said the President was “wrong” to diminish the role of NATO and British personnel.
Defense minister Al Carnes, a former Royal Marines colonel, said: “I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home.
“These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting the US, our shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump's comments were “complete nonsense” which could weaken NATO, while a Reform UK spokesperson said they are “plain wrong”.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice.”
Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered horrific injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, said Mr Trump's comments were “the ultimate insult”.
The American president made the outrageous claims during an interview with Fox News, in which he reiterated his suggestion that NATO would not support the US if asked.
As well as claiming allied forces stayed away from the frontline in Afghanistan, he also claimed other NATO nations only sent “some troops”.
The fallout is the latest strain of relations between NATO and Washington.
Tensions have been heightened following Mr Trump's threats to slap tariffs on European nations opposed to his ambitions to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
At the height of the war, NATO had more than 130,000 troops — including 9,500 UK personnel — from 50 nations in Afghanistan.