LONDON — Nigel Farage, a prominent British ally of Donald Trump, expressed concerns on Friday that U.S.-led negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia are granting “far too much” to Vladimir Putin. The leader of Reform UK, who has openly supported Trump in the past, cautioned that any resolution should not allow the Russian president to emerge as a victor.
Farage’s call for equitable peace negotiations
In an interview with the BBC, Farage stated, “It’s quite right to aim for peace, but we can’t have a peace that turns Putin into a winner.” He further commented on Trump’s approach, indicating that he does not fully align with the current stance of Trump’s team regarding the negotiations.
These remarks are particularly noteworthy considering Farage’s history of backing Trump, including attending his inauguration and rally events, as well as receiving a gracious birthday message from him. However, Farage is also contending with domestic criticisms related to his stance on Ukraine, as the ruling Labour Party attempts to portray him as lenient towards Russia, despite his previous assertions that NATO and the European Union’s actions provoked Putin’s invasion.
Concerns over Trump’s position on Ukraine
Since taking office in January, Trump’s administration has dismissed the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine, minimized the likelihood of deploying an American-supported peacekeeping force, and suggested that Ukraine may not recover territories lost to Russia. Farage emphasized the need for a fair peace deal, stating, “We want a peace deal. Surely, everybody wants a peace deal, but it needs to be equitable. Right at the moment, it appears Russia is getting far too much.”
When questioned about whether Trump is conceding excessive ground to Putin, Farage affirmed, “At the moment, that’s the way it looks. Now, there may be things going on behind the scenes on the Russian side that we don’t know, but at the moment, that’s the worry.”