Hundreds of Danes gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday in a show of support for war veterans. The demonstration was sparked by comments from President Donald Trump, who claimed that European allies were "far from the front lines" in the Afghanistan war. Veterans and citizens alike felt insulted by the remarks, viewing them as a dismissal of Denmark's sacrifices.
Denmark served as a crucial ally in the Washington-led coalition. Although its population is less than two percent that of the United States, the nation played a significant role in the conflict. The country lost 44 soldiers during the war, a casualty rate proportionally comparable to that of American forces.
Tensions have been further heightened by previous diplomatic friction. Trump had previously angered the Danish public by demanding the annexation of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. These events have strained the relationship between the two long-standing allies.
