Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned comments by United States President Donald Trump questioning the frontline role of non-US troops in Afghanistan, describing the remarks as “completely unacceptable” and deeply hurtful to the families of fallen soldiers.
Speaking on ABC’s Insiders programme on Sunday, Albanese said Trump’s comments had caused pain to Australians who lost loved ones during the two-decade-long conflict. He stressed that Australia’s contribution to the war was both substantial and courageous.
“Those 47 Australian families who will be hurting by these comments deserve our absolute respect and admiration,” Albanese said. “The bravery shown by the 40,000 Australians who served in Afghanistan was real. They were on the frontlines, defending democracy, freedom, and our national interests.”
Trump had sparked outrage after telling Fox News that while NATO allies sent “some troops” to Afghanistan, they “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.” The remarks drew sharp criticism from European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labelled them “appalling.”
Amid the backlash, Trump appeared to soften his stance on Saturday, issuing a statement on his Truth Social platform praising British troops. “The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!” he wrote, noting the sacrifices made by UK forces during the war.
Albanese acknowledged Trump’s later comments, suggesting they reflected a shift in tone. “I think President Trump’s comments overnight indicate a very different position. He’s acknowledged the contribution,” the Australian leader said, while maintaining that the earlier remarks were “entirely not appropriate.”
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In a related development, Albanese announced Greg Moriarty as Australia’s next Ambassador to the United States, replacing Kevin Rudd, whose tenure was marked by public tension with Trump. Rudd, a former prime minister, is set to leave the post at the end of March to lead the Asia Society in New York.
Trump had previously dismissed Rudd during a televised White House meeting, saying, “I don’t like you either,” a comment that fueled domestic debate in Australia over the diplomatic relationship.
Albanese described Moriarty as an “outstanding Australian public servant” and confirmed that the Trump administration had been consulted on the appointment, signalling Canberra’s intent to steady ties with Washington despite recent frictions.