Hundreds of people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday to show solidarity with Danish veterans after comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump were widely

seen as dismissive of Europe’s role in the war in Afghanistan.

The protest followed Trump’s recent claim that European allies had largely stayed “off the front lines” during the conflict — remarks that struck a nerve in Denmark, one of the United States’ closest military partners in the U.S.-led mission.

Despite having a population of less than six million, Denmark was among the most active combat contributors in Afghanistan. The country lost 44 service members during the war, giving it one of the highest per-capita casualty rates among coalition nations, comparable to that of the United States.

Saturday’s demonstration unfolded as protesters marched to the embassy carrying Danish flags, many of them embroidered with the names of fallen soldiers. Several participants wore medals earned during NATO service, while others listened quietly as the names of Danish troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq were read aloud. The gathering ended with a moment of silence.

“Behind every flag is a person — a soldier, a young man,” said retired Lieutenant Colonel Niels Christian Koefoed, who served in Afghanistan. “These were real people who stood on the front lines.”

Trump’s remarks added to existing tensions between Washington and Copenhagen. In recent years, he had already angered Danish leaders and the public by suggesting the United States should annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom.

The comments on NATO’s role sparked criticism across Europe. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called them “insulting and frankly appalling.” While Trump later praised British troops, he did not issue an apology or address the broader contribution of European forces.

For many veterans at the Copenhagen rally, the issue was deeply personal.

“I lost a very close friend and colleague,” said Jesper Larsen, who served in Afghanistan. “What Mr Trump said hurt. I believe he owes my fellow soldiers an apology.”

The protest underscored lingering sensitivities over how the long and costly war is remembered — and who is acknowledged for fighting it. Photo by Jesper Hertel, Wikimedia commons.