West's provocation triggers controversy among critics following Nigel Farage's assertion on Ukraine war
Nigel Farage, the face of the rapidly expanding Reform UK political party, known for his influential role in Brexit, aims to secure a parliamentary seat in the upcoming election next month. During a conversation with the BBC on Friday, he was pressed about a tweet from February 2022 that branded Putin's invasion of Ukraine as a result of EU and NATO expansion.
In response, Farage explained his stance to BBC's Nick Robinson, stating, "It was clear to me that the eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was providing this man [Putin] with a reason to stir his Russian people, making them fearful of an upcoming attack, and instigating war."
He further added, "Of course, it's Putin who bears the blame for this conflict, but we've provided him with an excuse through our actions."
Farage, a previous EU parliamentarian, claims to be the sole voice in British politics foresighted the Ukrainian invasion. Following his BBC interview, he took to X to clarify his statement. "I am one of the few figures who have remained consistent and authentic about this war," he wrote. "Putin was wrong to invade a sovereign nation, and the EU was wrong to expand eastward."
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed these comments today while communicating with journalists, stating, "What he said was entirely incorrect and serves only to undermine Britain's security by appeasing Putin."
James Cleverly, the UK's Home Secretary, asserted on X that Farage was "pioneering Putin's twisted justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine."
Former Conservative defence secretary Ben Wallace spoke to the BBC's Today program about Farage's comments, labeling him "similar to that bothersome regular at the bar who often says 'If I were in charge' and offers simplistic solutions to the real-world complexities of the 21st century."
The opposition Labour party, who are predicted to retake power next month, also expressed their views. "These comments are shameful, shedding light on the real nature of Nigel Farage: a Putin sympathizer unfit to safeguard our nation's security," wrote John Healey, a Labour MP and shadow Defence Secretary.
He continued, "Farage has demonstrated that he would rather kiss Vladimir Putin's ring than stand up for the people of Ukraine."
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Nigel Farage implied during his BBC interview that the eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union had given Putin a reason to provoke fear among Russians, potentially leading to the invasion of Ukraine. Following this controversial statement, Farage expressed his opinion on social media, stating that Putin was wrong to invade Ukraine and that the EU was also at fault for expanding eastward.
Despite far-right leader Nigel Farage's claims that EU expansion into Europe provoked Putin, many critics, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Labour party, have denounced his comments as sympathetic towards Putin and detrimental to Britain's security.
