London, England – Nigel Farage defends his controversial claim that the West triggered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite facing criticism from leaders of various political parties.

In a recent opinion piece in the Daily Telegraph, Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, emphasized that while he does not support or apologize for Russian President Vladimir Putin, he believes that the expansion of the EU and NATO gave Putin a reason to instigate conflict. This statement came after an interview with BBC Panorama where Farage attributed the war in Ukraine to Putin but highlighted the Western actions that may have provoked him.

Following these remarks, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Farage’s comments, labeling them as “completely wrong” and accusing him of playing into Putin’s hands. Leaders from other parties, such as Labour and the Liberal Democrats, also criticized Farage, with references to his alleged sympathy towards Putin.

Farage, however, remains steadfast in his stance, asserting that while the invasion of Ukraine is unjustifiable, he had been warning about it for years. He insists that poking the “Russian bear” without the means or political will to confront it is not a sound foreign policy approach.

In response to ongoing backlash, Farage reiterated his position, stating that he has consistently been honest about the situation with Russia. His calls for the West to cease antagonizing Putin date back to 2014, as reflected in his speeches and statements over the years.

As the controversy surrounding Farage’s comments continues, the Reform UK party has been making gains in opinion polls, challenging the Conservatives as the official opposition to Labour. Farage’s return to politics as the party’s leader has garnered attention, especially amidst the upcoming general election campaign.

Despite the escalating tensions and disagreements sparked by Farage’s assertions, the Ukrainian presidency has opted not to release an official statement. However, a source within the presidential office expressed concerns about the spread of what they termed “Putinism” and emphasized the importance of combating war propaganda at its root.

As Farage’s remarks draw further scrutiny and debate, the political landscape in the UK remains in flux, with implications for the country’s foreign policy decisions and international relations.