Nigel Farage, the populist British politician, reaffirmed his assertions that the West instigated Russia's invasion of Ukraine, despite facing opposition from Westminster. As the leader of Reform UK and a prominent figure in the Brexit movement, Farage stated on Saturday that one should not be astonished if the Russian bear retaliates when provoked. These remarks from the unconventional politician garnered severe condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum in anticipation of the upcoming July 4 election in the U.K.
British politician Nigel Farage stood firm on his assertions that the West played a role in provoking Russia's war in Ukraine, despite facing criticism from Westminster during the crucial final weeks of the U.K. election campaign. In an article published in the Telegraph newspaper on Saturday, Farage, the leader of Reform UK and a prominent figure in the Brexit movement, condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as "immoral." However, Farage emphasized that if one were to provoke the Russian bear, one should not be surprised by a response.
Farage's defense of his remarks came after an interview with the BBC on Friday, during which he argued that NATO and the European Union's eastward expansion had given Putin a pretext to rally the Russian people and justify going to war. He asserted that the West was responsible for the conflict, stating, "We've provoked this war. Of course, it’s his fault. He's used what we've done."
On Saturday, Farage clarified his position, reiterating that he neither supported nor defended Putin. He claimed that he had foreseen the war and argued that the West had unwittingly played into Putin's hands. Farage cautioned against provoking Russia without having the means or political will to confront its response, stating that such actions were not sound foreign policy.
Furthermore, Farage recalled his remarks to the European Parliament in 2014, shortly after Russia annexed Crimea, where he expressed concerns about NATO's military exercises in Ukraine.
"He stated at the time that if we were indeed seeking a conflict with Putin, then our current approach was undeniably on the right track," Farage's words were rephrased.
Farage's statements align with his close confidant and ally, former President Donald Trump. During a recent episode of the "All In" podcast, Trump reiterated his belief that NATO's expansion of military capabilities was seen as "provocative" to Russia, and under his leadership, such a war would not have occurred.
Sunak and Starmer express opposition
Following Farage's return as the leader of Reform UK last month, the party has seen a rapid surge in popularity leading up to the UK's July 4 elections. According to pre-Farage comment polling conducted by YouGov, the right-wing party now holds 18% of the votes, trailing just behind the incumbent Conservatives' 20%. Meanwhile, Labour maintains a significant lead at 36%.
Leaders from both ends of the political spectrum strongly criticized the controversial remarks made by the insurgent politician.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the comments as "wholly misguided," asserting that such a stance only serves to "play into Putin's hands."
"This form of appeasement poses a significant risk to the security of Britain and our allies who rely on our support, ultimately bolstering Putin's confidence," he emphasized when addressing the press.
Labor leader Keir Starmer denounced the comments as "shameful" and placed the full blame for the invasion squarely on Putin's shoulders.
On the other hand, political commentator Timothy Ash discredited Farage's assertion that NATO's presence in Ukraine in 2014 provoked Moscow, highlighting that support for Kyiv's membership in the military alliance was actually "very low" at that time.
According to Ash, who serves as an associate fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House, Ukraine had no plans to join NATO in 2014 or even in 2022, and this was well-known to Moscow. He argued that Putin sought a PR excuse to invade, and Farage's alignment with Putin's narrative makes him a tool for the Russian leader.
Ash further explained that Putin's invasion of Ukraine was not driven by the enlargement of the European Union (EU) or NATO, but rather by a policy of Russian expansion. Putin's ultimate goal, according to Ash, is to recreate the USSR, as he has previously stated that the collapse of the Soviet Union was the biggest mistake of the 20th century. Russian colonial ambitions and the desire for territorial enlargement fueled the invasion.
In a video post on X Saturday, the Ministry of Defense in the United Kingdom emphasized that NATO had previously made significant efforts to establish a strategic relationship with Russia. These efforts included cooperation on counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics initiatives.
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