Nigel Farage has been accused of acting as “Donald Trump’s spokesman in Britain” for refusing to criticise his ally after the US president bullied and belittled Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday.
The Reform UK leader blamed the Ukrainian president for having played the White House meeting “very badly”, as well as accusing Mr Zelensky of “bowling in and showing no respect” for his American counterpart.
And, asked whether he thinks Mr Trump and vice president JD Vance had bullied Mr Zelensky, Mr Farage deflected to accuse the Ukrainian of having been “rude” to his US counterpart “in his own house”. He was condemned by opponents from across the political spectrum for the intervention.
Calling out the Reform UK leader in the Commons, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Can I just remind him that Russia is the aggressor. Zelensky is a war leader whose country has been invaded. And we should all be supporting him and not fawning over Putin.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir 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.”
And the Conservatives said Mr Zelensky is a hero who has “stood up to Putin’s aggression and led his country’s defence against their barbaric and illegal invasion”.
“It is troubling to not hear the leader of Reform say that,” shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said. She added: “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.”
Labour MP Blair McDougall, a member of the foreign affairs committee, told The Independent he was “utterly unsurprised” by Mr Farage joining the attack on Mr Zelensky.
He added: “Most of us look at Putin and feel disgust. Farage has always seen someone to admire. A leader who can’t pick a side between a murderous dictatorship and a democracy doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near decisions about Britain’s security.”
And Labour MP David Taylor told The Independent: “It’s telling that when the PM announced the essential uplift in defence spending, not a single member of Reform was there to ask a question.
“Mr Farage is not fit to comment on Zelensky’s actions. The former appears constantly absent while the latter has fought not just for Ukraine’s future, but for ours here in the UK.
“Mr Farage claims Reform is the patriotic party, but calls Zelensky, who is the greatest war time leader of our generation, ‘unwise’.”
Tim Roca, Labour MP for Macclesfield, added that his latest “refusal to stand by Ukrainians” demonstrates his “warped worldview”.
“Reform wrap themselves in the flag and performative patriotism only to abandon the values our country was built on”, he told The Independent.
“I'm proud the PM is living up to those values, showing leadership, and demonstrating to Putin we stand with our allies and a just peace for Ukraine."
Speaking to LBC on Monday, Mr Farage said: “I think president Zelensky was very unwise to tell the Americans what would happen to them if they didn't back him. I think it was unwise. Yeah, sure, Vance and Trump bit back. But I think in diplomatic terms, I think Zelensky played it very badly.”
Asked if he would treat a guest like that, Mr Farage said: “I wouldn't expect a guest to be rude to me in my own house. Absolutely not. I would expect a guest with respect.”
When pressed on whether he saw any problem with the way Mr Trump behaved, he responded: “I'm not defending what they did”.
He was then asked whether he himself would behave like that, to which he responded: “I try not to”, adding: “This is irrelevant.”
Mr Farage later joined Mr Trump in questioning Mr Zelensky’s outfit choice for his White House visit, saying: “If I turned up on the White House, I'd make sure I was wearing a suit, my shoes were cleaned.”
It is not the first time the Reform leader has been criticised for his approach to the conflict in Ukraine. During the general election, he was condemned for claiming the West had “provoked” Russia into the deadly invasion.
Labour MP Will Stone added: “Nigel Farage and Reform are all over the place when it comes to supporting Ukraine. Farage has openly stated he admires Vladimir Putin and claimed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a consequence of EU and NATO expansion.
“This weekend our prime minister Keir Starmer showed that our support for Ukraine is unwavering. It's a shame Nigel Farage and Reform MPs can't do the same.”
Meanwhile Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden told The Independent Mr Farage was “more focused on parroting Trump talking points than engaging in a serious debate about the future of UK and European defence”.
She added: “The Prime Minister was right when he said Europe is at a crossroads in history, and as the days go on, we’re increasingly seeing which sides politicians are taking. Farage’s appearance on LBC today will do nothing to dissuade the view that he is suspiciously soft on Russia and Trump.
“To talk again about Zelensky’s clothing was particularly galling. Why is he focused on something so trivial when the future of Ukraine as a democratic nation is on the line?”
The latest row comes after Mr Trump Mr Vance berated Mr Zelensky over his conduct during the Ukraine war and apparent lack of gratitude for American donations during a televised conference in the Oval Office.
The Ukrainian president also faced questions on his choice of outfit, with Mr Trump making quips about the Ukrainian leader being “all dressed up” - referring to his military-style sweatshirt and trousers, adorned with the Ukrainian trident, which he wears as a show of solidarity with soldiers fighting on the frontlines.
Mr Zelensky, who left the White House straight after the meeting, flew to London where he attended a summit of European leaders which saw them discuss a peace plan for Ukraine and security on the continent.
On his arrival, Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Zelensky had "full backing across the United Kingdom" as he welcomed him to Downing Street.
And on Sunday, King Charles met Mr Zelensky at Sandringham in an overt show of solidarity with the Ukrainian president, and the most conspicuous political act the King has made since succeeding Queen Elizabeth II, who went to great lengths to keep out of politics.
