Hegseth claims most Nato allies did not fight

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth, who served as a Minnesota Army National Guard instructor in Afghanistan, said at a Saturday speech that only one or two Nato countries actually engaged in kinetic operations there.

“It was actually closer to one or two that actually … by the end were actually involved in kinetic operations.”

Hegseth jokes Isaf meant Americans fighting alone

Hegseth said the acronym Isaf, for International Security Assistance Force, was joked to mean I Saw Americans Fighting, suggesting burden-sharing had failed and the US carried the war alone.

“In fact, the patch 'Isaf', we joked that it meant 'I Saw Americans Fighting'.”

The actual toll across Nato forces

While almost two thousand five hundred US forces died in Afghanistan, two-thirds of the total death toll, personnel from more than thirty nations died on duty there, including four hundred fifty-seven from the UK.

Downing Street condemns Hegseth's remarks

Andy Burnham's official spokesperson said Hegseth was wrong to diminish Nato's role, saying thousands of British and allied families made huge sacrifices and more than four hundred fifty British personnel never returned.

“It is wrong to diminish their role.”

UK reaffirms unwavering Ukraine support

As Trump has eased sanctions on Russia and limited intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, Downing Street emphasised the UK's position on Ukraine has been consistent since the conflict broke out and remains unwavering.

“Our support for Ukraine is unwavering.”

UK distances itself from Trump's Russia approach

Downing Street did not directly address reports that Trump wanted a peace summit involving the US, Russia and China but not Ukraine, instead reaffirming the UK wants Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace.