Farage says Zelenskyy is not a dictator – and calls UK and Europe ‘irrelevant’ in Ukraine peace talks

Nigel Farage Defends Zelenskyy but Calls for Election Timeline

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK and a close friend of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has waded into the controversy surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership. While Farage emphasized that Zelenskyy is "not a dictator," he called on the Ukrainian leader to establish a timeline for elections, suggesting that the Ukrainian people should have the opportunity to vote on a potential peace deal. Farage’s comments come amid heightened tensions over the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing divisions in the international community about how to address it.

Farage made his remarks during an interview with GB News, where he sought to clarify his stance on Zelenskyy’s leadership. He acknowledged the challenges Ukraine faces during wartime but argued that democratic processes, such as elections, should not be indefinitely postponed. Farage pointed to the example of the UK during World War II, where an election was held in 1945 despite the ongoing conflict. He suggested that Ukraine could follow a similar path, arguing that elections are a cornerstone of democracy even in the most difficult times.

Trump’s Remarks Spark Controversy

Farage’s comments were partly in response to Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Zelenskyy. Trump, who has been a vocal supporter of Farage, described the Ukrainian president as "a dictator without elections" and falsely claimed that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war with Russia. Trump also alleged that Zelenskyy’s approval rating had dropped to 4%, a claim that contradicts recent polling data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, which shows that Zelenskyy retains the support of about 57% of Ukrainians.

Farage, while not directly endorsing Trump’s remarks, suggested that the former U.S. president’s comments should be taken "seriously but not literally." This approach has drawn criticism from some quarters, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accusing Farage of sounding "like a spokesman for Trump" rather than representing the views of the British people. Farage’s reluctance to directly condemn Trump’s comments has also raised eyebrows, particularly given the strong support for Zelenskyy among other European leaders.

UK and Europe’s Role in Peace Talks

Farage also sparked debate by describing the UK and Europe as "irrelevant" in efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. His comments come as U.S. and Russian officials have been meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential peace agreement, with neither Ukraine nor European representatives in attendance. This exclusion has prompted an emergency meeting of European leaders in France, highlighting the growing sense of unease among Western allies about being sidelined in negotiations.

Farage argued that Europe and the UK should pay close attention to Trump’s views, suggesting that the former president could play a pivotal role in brokering a peace deal. However, his critics have dismissed this idea, pointing out that Trump’s track record on Ukraine has been deeply problematic. They argue that Farage’s stance undermines the unity of the Western alliance and gives undue credibility to Trump’s divisive rhetoric.

Reactions from Other Leaders

The backlash against Farage’s comments has been swift, with several high-profile politicians challenging his views. Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has been a strong supporter of Zelenskyy, describing it as "perfectly reasonable" for Ukraine to suspend elections during wartime, just as the UK did during World War II. Starmer has emphasized the importance of standing by Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, a stance that has been echoed by other European leaders.

Meanwhile, Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has criticized Farage’s call for a "timetable" for Ukrainian elections, arguing that such demands are impractical given the existential threat Ukraine faces. Cartlidge also pointed out the hypocrisy of Farage’s position, noting that while he calls for elections in Ukraine, he remains silent on the lack of free and fair elections in Russia under Vladimir Putin, whom Cartlidge described as "an actual dictator."

Implications for Ukraine and the West

The debate over Zelenskyy’s leadership and the role of the West in Ukraine’s war with Russia has far-reaching implications. Farage’s comments reflect a broader divide in the international community about how to approach the conflict, with some calling for a swift resolution and others advocating for continued military and economic support for Ukraine.

As the war drags on, the question of when and how Ukraine should hold elections remains a contentious issue. While some argue that democratic processes should continue as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience, others believe that elections should be postponed until the country is at peace. Zelenskyy’s ability to maintain public trust will be crucial in navigating this challenging period, as will the support of international allies who continue to view Ukraine’s struggle as a fight for democracy and self-determination.

In the end, the comments from Farage, Trump, and other leaders highlight the complexity of the situation and the need for a unified approach to addressing the crisis in Ukraine. As the international community grapples with how to move forward, one thing is clear: the outcome of this war will have profound implications not just for Ukraine, but for the entire Western alliance.