UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK leader backed Donald Trump’s stance on Ukrainian elections, arguing that a timeline is needed while rejecting claims that Zelensky is a dictator.
The reform leader responds to Trump’s attacks against the Ukrainian president, offering his take on the controversy.
What did Nigel Farage say about Trump and Ukraine?
During a GB News appearance, Farage stated,
“You should always take everything Donald Trump says seriously,”
though not “absolutely literally.”
He said, “Let’s be clear – Zelenskyy is not a dictator,” adding, “But it’s only right and proper that Ukrainians have a timeline for elections.”
Reform leader dismissed the idea that Britain lacked elections during WWII, pointing out that a vote was conducted in the summer of 1945.
The vote occurred after Nazi Germany had fallen and the Allies had secured victory in Europe, though the war against Japan was yet to end when the election took place.
Mr Farage supported the newly elected president’s actions, asserting that he had delivered on his promise to “bring Putin to the negotiating table.”
While addressing the approach, he remarked, “Is it right to try to seek peace in a war that has now seen one million battle casualties? Yes”, arguing that European allies are upset because “they have shown themselves to be pretty irrelevant.”
He blamed Russia for the invasion, stating, “Russia is to blame for the attack—of that there is no doubt.”
Why did Nigel Farage face backlash over Trump’s comments?
After the newly elected American president’s statement against the Ukrainian president, leaders from various political parties voiced support for Zelenskyy and reiterated their commitment to Ukraine’s war against Russia.
The Liberal Democrats leader, Ed Davey, condemned Trump’s claims that Zelenskyy is a dictator, stating that such a statement “must be where the line is drawn.” He called on politicians across the board to stand together against “Trump’s lies.”
He pointed out Mr Farage’s silence despite his close ties to Trump. Ed Davey questioned the Reform UK leader, saying, “You seem unusually quiet there, Nigel Farage. Any thoughts?”
You seem unusually quiet there @Nigel_Farage any thoughts? https://t.co/4PtzZKE07Z
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) February 20, 2025
In another tweet, Mr Davey stated, “There’s a rumour that Nigel Farage is keeping his head down because he’s off to a Trump cheerleading conference over the weekend.”
There's a rumour that Nigel Farage is keeping his head down because he's off to a Trump cheerleading conference over the weekend.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) February 20, 2025
I’m afraid I’m being proved right- Farage is far more interested in Trump's success than British security. He is a bootlicker and a plastic patriot.
Andy Burnham, Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, took to X, posting, “Normally you can’t escape Reform UK MPs gobbing off on here, but interesting, isn’t it, how silent they are about their friend’s [Trump’s] campaign to undermine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine.”
Normally you can’t escape @reformparty_uk MPs gobbing off on here but interesting, isn’t it, how silent they are about their friend’s campaign to undermine @ZelenskyyUa and Ukraine.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) February 20, 2025
Just when you need them to use some influence to protect British interests, they don’t. 🤷🏻♂️
Sir Simon Clarke, a former Conservative minister, supported Mr Burnham’s criticism, stating that while some on the right admire aspects of Trump’s policies, his stance on Ukraine is “utterly appalling” and could fuel greater instability in Europe.
What did Trump say about the Ukrainian leader?
The war of words began between Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president when Trump branded Zelenskyy “a dictator” in response to the Ukrainian leader’s earlier comments that Mr Trump was influenced by Russian disinformation.
Reform UK ranking in the latest survey
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has topped a Sky News/YouGov survey, leading with 25%, while Labour trails at 24% and the Tory at 21%.
The poll also found that the Conservative leader’s popularity has fallen behind Nigel Farage‘s. Her net favourability has dropped from -25 last month to -29.