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‘Very unwise’: Nigel Farage suggests Zelenskyy was ‘rude’ in White House meeting

Nigel Farage has suggested Volodymyr Zelenskyy was “rude” and “very unwise” in his approach to his now-infamous meeting with Donald Trump in the White House.

The meeting between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart was convened so the two leaders could discuss the raw materials deal and the US administration’s attempts to end the war in Ukraine.  

But it culminated in intense public shouting match as Trump rowed in behind the comments issued by his vice president, JD Vance, who claimed that Ukraine should be more “thankful” for US support.

In a post to X on Saturday, the Reform UK leader said that the row was “regrettable” and warned that the fallout will leave Putin “feeling like the winner”.

He posted: “The spat in the White House last night is regrettable and will make Putin feel like the winner.

“But this is not the end of the story, far from it. A peace deal is essential and Ukraine needs the right security guarantees.”

Taking part in an LBC phone-in show on Monday morning, Farage was asked for further clarity on his view of Trump and Vance’s treatment of Zelenskyy. 

He responded: “Whatever the spat that occurred… let’s look at the very big picture to begin with.

“We after three years of war… are at a million battle casualties. We have a situation now where we either go for a peace deal or this continues for year after year after year.

“The truth is that the longer the war goes on, the more it suits Russia.

“What is interesting is that before Zelenskyy had left the White House, he’d realised that he had overplayed his hand and… he was willing to go back in and sign the minerals deal.

“I actually think good is going to come of Friday. Zelenskyy is going to sign the deal. The real worry I’ve got is… how do we put together a security package that ensures that Putin can’t do it again.”

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Farage added: “I think president Zelenskyy was very unwise to tell the Americans what would happen to them if they didn’t back him. I think it was unwise. Yes sure, Vance and Trump bit back. But I think in diplomatic terms, I think Zelenskyy played it very badly.”

Pressed on whether he saw anything “intemperate” in Trump’s language, the Clacton MP said: “Whether there was or whether there wasn’t, we’re heading towards peace. We’re heading towards peace. It’s a good thing.”

Asked if he would treat a guest as Trump did, Farage added: “I wouldn’t expect a guest to be rude to me in my own house, absolutely not. I would expect a guest to treat me with respect.”

He said he was not “defending” Trump and Vance’s behaviour, claiming he would “try not to” behave like that himself. 

However, he dismissed the pair’s approach as “irrelevant”.

The Reform leader added: “This is where we all go wrong. We’re all focusing on the row that happened. Maybe the row was bound to happen anyway. Zelenskyy wasn’t ready, maybe for this, and perhaps the Americans weren’t ready for it either. I don’t know.”

He also criticised Zelenskyy for not wearing a suit for his White House visit, and said he showed “no respect” to Trump through his choice of clothing.

He said: “Do you know what? If I turned up in the White House, I’d make sure I was wearing a suit and my shoes were cleaned.” 

Commenting on Zelenskyy’s military-style attire, he added: “I think there are times to wear it and there are times not to, perhaps.”

However, he went on to conceded that this is a “minor” point.

Responding to Farage’s comments, shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: “Nigel Farage is completely wrong. President Zelenskyy is a hero, who has stood up to Putin’s aggression, and led his country’s defence against their barbaric and illegal invasion over the last 3 years – and it is troubling to not hear the leader of Reform say that.

“For Nigel Farage to sit there pointing the finger at Zelenskyy is both morally wrong and diplomatically counterproductive. At this uncertain and dangerous time, one would hope that MPs of all stripes would be putting our national interest first, rather than playing politics

“But sadly, it is not surprising. Like Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Reform UK seems to have history equivocating over Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.”

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “Nigel Farage is once again showing his true colours as Trump’s own spokesman here in Britain.

“Zelensky showed courage and integrity in that room – in stark contrast to Farage’s cowardly approach of licking Trump’s boots.

“Farage is more focused on promoting Trump and Musk’s interests in the UK than British interests in the States. He was once again parroting White House talking points this morning, to the dismay of British people here at home. It’s clearer than ever that Nigel Farage is simply out for himself and his Mar-a-Lago cronies.”

Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.

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