The Clacton MP was accused of saying President Putin acted because Crimea and territories in the Donbas were “Russian-speaking communities” and “would rather be part of a greater Russia than part of somewhere else”.

Russian troops illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and later invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Farage said: “I never said anything of the kind. That is utter b******s.”

The Reform UK leader had claimed he admired President Putin, citing his ability as a “political operator”.

However, pressure mounted on Mr Farage after Reform UK’s ex-Wales leader Nathan Gill was jailed for accepting pro-Kremlin bribes.

Distancing himself from the remarks, the Clacton MP added: “Let’s be clear, these comments attributed to me about Putin are wrong.

“I said in that first comment, I don’t like him, I wouldn’t live in Russia. He’s a clever political operator.

“It’s almost as if you make any comment about an individual’s ability and you’re suddenly their biggest supporter. Never been true.”

Mr Farage, who admitted he remains fearful of the EU and Nato expanding eastwards, warned President Putin now poses a huge threat to the UK.

“I now think Putin poses a bigger threat to Western Europe and to us,” Mr Farage said.

The Reform UK leader is now hoping to set out his credentials as a supporter of Ukraine, with Mr MacIntyre pointing out Mr Farage would shoot down Russian aircraft invading Nato airspace.

Mr MacIntyre said: “I think we focus on what’s been said more recently, which is, if the UK was part of the UK coalition or an international coalition through Nato, then he’s already said we would shoot down Russian aircraft.”

However, Mr Farage’s rivals have long accused the prominent Brexiteer of being soft on Russia.

Ahead of Reform UK’s armed forces announcement, Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge joked Mr Farage was awaiting “final clearance from the Kremlin”.

Chancellor John Healey accused the Clacton MP of being “unfit for any political office in our country” while he was Defence Secretary, adding: “He’d rather lick Vladimir Putin’s boot than stand up for the people of Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed Mr Farage was “parroting Putin’s lies” ahead of the 2024 General Election.

Andy Burnham, who refused to extend a G20 summit invitation to Moscow yesterday, renewed the row over Russia’s role in the Brexit referendum last month.

The Prime Minister claimed the “clear answer” was the Kremlin had interferred in the campaign.

He added: “I think we’ve been too much on the back foot on that actually and we haven’t informed people sufficiently about the extent to which people are seeking to disrupt the political process from overseas.”

However, Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty was forced to clarify Russia failed to sway the result.

Mr Doughty said: “I don’t think they’ve succeeded in their efforts to undermine our elections.”

Mr Burnham is now looking to forge a new relationship with Europe and hopes the UK will rejoin in his lifetime.

Nigel Farage Hits Back at ‘Utter B******s’ Russia Claims Before Warning Vladimir Putin Poses Huge Threat

Nigel Farage has launched a fierce defence of his position on Russia after rejecting allegations that he had previously expressed sympathy for Vladimir Putin’s decision to annex Crimea.

The Reform UK leader described the claims as “utter b******s” and insisted that his comments had been misrepresented. However, in a significant intervention, Farage also warned that the Russian President now poses a major threat to Britain and Western Europe.

The controversy has placed the Clacton MP under renewed scrutiny over his previous statements about Russia, NATO expansion and the war in Ukraine.

It comes at a politically sensitive moment for Reform UK, with Farage attempting to demonstrate that his party takes national security and Britain’s military responsibilities seriously.

The row intensified following the appointment of military veteran Angus MacIntyre as Reform UK’s armed forces spokesman. The appointment is part of the party’s wider effort to establish its defence credentials and explain its approach to Britain’s security challenges.

Farage’s latest comments have reopened questions about his relationship with Russia, his previous assessments of Putin and whether Reform UK can establish a clear position on the future of the war in Ukraine.

Farage Rejects Allegations Over His Comments on Crimea

The immediate controversy followed reports highlighting comments Farage made in 2022 about Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

The Times reportedly revisited remarks in which the Reform leader was accused of suggesting that Putin acted because Crimea and parts of the Donbas contained Russian-speaking communities that would rather become part of a greater Russia.

The comments prompted renewed criticism from political opponents, who questioned whether Farage had previously been too sympathetic towards the Kremlin’s actions.

However, Farage strongly rejected the interpretation.

Speaking to journalists, he said:

“I never said anything of the kind. That is utter b******s.”

He insisted that the remarks attributed to him were wrong and argued that recognising someone’s political abilities should not automatically be interpreted as supporting their actions.

Farage explained that while he had previously described Putin as a clever political operator, this did not mean he admired the Russian President personally or supported his policies.

He added that he would not want to live in Russia and made clear that he did not like Putin.

The distinction is central to Farage’s defence.

He argues that political leaders can be assessed in terms of their ability to maintain power and influence without endorsing their conduct or political objectives.

Nevertheless, his critics continue to question whether his previous statements have helped reinforce narratives promoted by the Kremlin.

‘Putin Poses a Bigger Threat to Western Europe and to Us’

Perhaps the most significant part of Farage’s latest intervention was his warning about the threat posed by Russia.

The Reform leader said:

“I now think Putin poses a bigger threat to Western Europe and to us.”

The statement represents an important part of his attempt to establish a clearer public position on Britain’s relationship with Moscow.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 fundamentally changed the European security environment.

The conflict has raised concerns about NATO’s eastern flank, military preparedness, energy security and the possibility of further confrontation between Russia and Western countries.

Britain has been among Ukraine’s prominent supporters, providing military assistance and working with European and international partners to strengthen Kyiv’s ability to defend itself.

Farage’s latest warning suggests that he recognises the seriousness of the security challenges facing Britain.

However, questions remain about how his assessment would translate into specific defence policies.

Recognising Russia as a threat is only the starting point. Any political party seeking to govern must also explain how it would respond to that threat through military spending, intelligence cooperation, NATO commitments and support for Ukraine.

The Appointment of Angus MacIntyre Raises the Stakes

Farage’s comments came after Reform UK unveiled military veteran Angus MacIntyre as its armed forces spokesman.

The appointment is significant because defence policy is becoming an increasingly important subject in British politics.

MacIntyre has emphasised that Britain’s response to Russian aggression must be considered in the context of NATO and collective security.

He also discussed the possibility of British forces responding if Russian aircraft entered NATO airspace.

MacIntyre said that, if Britain were part of an appropriate UK-led or international NATO coalition, Farage had already indicated that Russian aircraft invading NATO airspace would be shot down.

The remarks underline the importance of maintaining credible military deterrence.

NATO’s collective defence principle means that an armed attack against one member can be treated as an attack against all, subject to the treaty’s provisions.

Britain remains one of the alliance’s important military contributors.

The appointment of MacIntyre gives Reform an opportunity to explain how it would approach the responsibilities associated with NATO membership.

It also places greater attention on the party’s position towards Ukraine and the wider confrontation between Russia and Western governments.

Why Farage’s Previous Statements Continue to Cause Controversy

The latest dispute cannot be understood without considering Farage’s previous comments about NATO, the European Union and Russia.

In June 2024, during an interview with the BBC’s Panorama programme, Farage argued that Western expansion eastwards had helped create the circumstances that preceded Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

He referred to NATO and EU enlargement and said that these developments had given Putin an opportunity to portray the West as a threat to Russia.

Farage also said that he had predicted a war in Ukraine years before the full-scale invasion.

However, he acknowledged that Putin was responsible for launching the invasion.

His remarks triggered widespread criticism from political leaders across Britain.

Then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accused him of being completely wrong and argued that his comments played into Putin’s hands.

Labour politicians also criticised the Reform leader.

Farage subsequently defended his position, insisting that he was neither an apologist nor a supporter of Putin.

He described Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as immoral, outrageous and indefensible, while maintaining that Western governments had made serious strategic mistakes.

This distinction continues to shape the debate surrounding his foreign policy views.

Critics argue that attributing part of the background to Western decisions risks repeating explanations used by the Kremlin to justify its aggression.

Farage maintains that examining the geopolitical background does not amount to supporting Russia’s actions.

Nathan Gill’s Conviction Adds to the Political Pressure

The controversy has also been intensified by the criminal case involving Nathan Gill, Reform UK’s former leader in Wales.

Gill was jailed after admitting accepting bribes connected to pro-Russian interests.

The case has attracted considerable political attention because of its connection to allegations of foreign influence and attempts to promote pro-Kremlin positions.

Although Gill’s criminal conduct is a separate matter from Farage’s own statements, the case has increased scrutiny of Reform UK’s relationship with Russia.

Political opponents have used the situation to question the party’s approach to national security and the possibility of foreign interference in British politics.

Farage has therefore faced additional pressure to establish a clear distinction between his own political position and the actions of individuals associated with his party.

The wider issue is particularly important because foreign interference is a recognised concern for democratic countries.

Governments must protect political institutions, elections and public debate against covert attempts by hostile states to influence decision-making.

Britain has repeatedly raised concerns about Russian intelligence activities and attempts to undermine Western political institutions.

Political Opponents Continue to Challenge Farage

Farage’s opponents have not accepted his defence without criticism.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge previously mocked the Reform leader over his position on Russia, joking that he was awaiting “final clearance from the Kremlin”.

Chancellor John Healey has also been highly critical.

During his time as Defence Secretary, Healey accused Farage of being unfit for political office and used particularly strong language to challenge his position on Putin and Ukraine.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also accused Farage of repeating Russian propaganda during the 2024 General Election campaign.

These criticisms demonstrate how Russia has become an important dividing line in Britain’s political debate.

For Labour and the Conservatives, support for Ukraine and opposition to Russian aggression are central elements of their national security arguments.

Reform UK, meanwhile, is attempting to establish its own approach while maintaining Farage’s longstanding criticism of NATO and EU expansion.

The party must explain how these positions fit together.

What Does This Mean for Britain’s Future Defence Policy?

The controversy arrives at a time when Britain faces significant questions about its military capabilities and international responsibilities.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of ammunition supplies, air defence, intelligence capabilities and military readiness.

It has also highlighted the growing importance of drones, electronic warfare and advanced technology on the modern battlefield.

Britain must consider how to maintain credible armed forces while working with NATO allies to deter potential aggression.

There are also important questions about defence spending.

Military equipment, personnel, training and infrastructure all require long-term investment.

Any government seeking to strengthen Britain’s security must explain how it intends to fund those commitments.

Reform UK’s position on Russia will therefore need to go beyond statements about Putin being a threat.

Voters will want to understand what the party would do if NATO territory were threatened, how it would support Ukraine and what military resources it believes Britain should maintain.

These questions are likely to remain important as the next stage of Britain’s defence debate develops.

Conclusion: Farage Faces Renewed Questions Over Russia and Ukraine

Nigel Farage’s rejection of the allegations surrounding his comments on Crimea has reopened one of the most controversial aspects of his political record.

His description of the claims as “utter b******s” demonstrates how strongly he disputes the interpretation of his previous remarks.

At the same time, his warning that Vladimir Putin poses a bigger threat to Western Europe and Britain signals an attempt to establish a clearer position on the dangers presented by the Russian President.

However, the controversy is unlikely to disappear.

His 2024 comments about NATO and EU expansion remain part of the public record, while the conviction of former Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill has added further scrutiny to the party’s relationship with Russia.

Farage insists that recognising Putin’s political abilities does not mean supporting his actions.

His critics argue that his previous statements risk reinforcing narratives used by Moscow.

Ultimately, the important question for Reform UK is what its position means in practical terms.

Britain needs a clear defence strategy, credible military capabilities and a consistent approach to NATO and Ukraine.

Farage has now acknowledged the seriousness of the Russian threat in explicit terms.

The next challenge will be explaining exactly how he would protect British national security and respond to any future aggression against the United Kingdom or its allies.