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Nigel Farage Faces Backlash Over Comments That NATO Provoked Ukraine War

Jun 22, 2024, 12:08 PM

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, has sparked widespread controversy with his recent comments blaming NATO and the West for provoking Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Farage reiterated his stance during a BBC interview with Nick Robinson on June 21, stating that the EU and NATO's eastward expansion led to the conflict. His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer, who condemned his comments as 'disgraceful' and 'completely wrong.' Defence analyst Simon Diggins and former military intelligence officer Philip Ingram also dismissed Farage's claims as nonsensical and aligned with Kremlin propaganda. Ukrainian officials have responded by accusing Farage of echoing Putin's justifications for the war, with President Zelenskyy labeling him 'infected with the virus of Putinism.' The conflict has resulted in 14 million displaced people and half a million casualties. Farage's statements have intensified the debate on NATO's role in the conflict and have raised questions about his political future.