Radosław Sikorski criticizes Pete Hegseth after he downplayed NATO allies’ contribution in Afghanistan

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after he questioned the contribution of NATO allies to operations in Afghanistan. The dispute erupted after a speech Hegseth delivered to recruits at the University of Tennessee.

Hegseth, a former captain in Afghanistan, said that although dozens of countries flew their flags at the ISAF headquarters in Kabul, only a few actually took part in the fighting. He mocked the allies’ contribution with the phrase “I Saw Americans Fighting.”

In response, Sikorski reminded him of the 44 Polish personnel who died during the mission, mainly in Ghazni province, where Polish forces provided security between 2008 and 2013. More than 33,000 Polish military personnel and employees of the Ministry of National Defence served in Afghanistan.

Hegseth’s remarks echo statements previously made by President Donald Trump, who criticized the contribution of European allies. Warsaw has consistently rejected these assessments and called for respect for fallen service members.