U.S. President Donald Trump has heaped praise on British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan. The post on social media represents a partial walking back of comments he made this week that drew a cascade of criticism in the U.

Trump’s praise comes after UK prime minister called the US leader’s remarks ‘insulting’ and suggested he apologise.

Donald Trump provoked outrage and distress in the U.K. with his suggestion that troops from NATO countries stayed away from the frontline.

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called U.S. ‌President ​Donald Trump's comments about European troops staying off the ‌front lines in Afghanistan insulting and appalling, joining a chorus of criticism from other European officials and veterans.

President Trump said that NATO soldiers stayed “a little off the front lines” during the conflict. In Britain, which lost 457 soldiers in the war, the response was swift.

Trump's NATO challenges push European defense spending pledges, but analysts say continent still lacks command experience to operate independently.

President Donald Trump’s comments belittling the role of NATO allies in Afghanistan sparked outrage in Britain, which lost 457 soldiers in the U.S.-led war.