Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stirs controversy by attributing Ukraine conflict to Western provocation, drawing critique from UK government and political figures while receiving accolades from pro-Russian entities.
Nigel Farage Criticized for Comments on Ukraine War
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has faced widespread criticism for suggesting that Western actions provoked Russia into invading Ukraine. Farage’s comments, made during a BBC interview and in a Sunday Telegraph article, claimed that NATO and EU expansion contributed to the conflict, saying the West “played into Putin’s hands.”
Pro-Russian state media and officials praised Farage, with Alexey Pushkov of Russia’s Federation Council commending him for “speaking directly about the causes of the Ukrainian crisis.” The Russian state-owned Gazeta and TV channel RT also positively featured his remarks.
The UK government’s Ministry of Defence countered Farage’s claims with a video on social media, emphasizing that NATO is a defensive alliance and dispelling the notion that it encircles Russia. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Farage’s statements, arguing that only Vladimir Putin is responsible for the aggression against Ukraine.
Farage maintains he is not an apologist for Putin, insisting Western policies provided Putin with excuses for his actions, a view rejected by numerous UK political figures who regard it as bolstering Kremlin propaganda.
