Nigel Farage is 'cuddling up to the Kremlin', says ex-Nato boss amid claims West provoked Russia into invading Ukraine

25 June 2024, 08:52

Lord Robertson said it is "total nonsense" that the West provoked Russia into invading Ukraine
Lord Robertson said it is "total nonsense" that the West provoked Russia into invading Ukraine. Picture: Alamy/LBC

By Emma Soteriou

Nigel Farage is 'cuddling up to the Kremlin', an ex-Nato boss has said amid claims the West provoked Russia into invading Ukraine.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking to LBC's Tom Swarbrick, former Nato Secretary General Lord George Robertson said it is "total nonsense" that the West provoked Russia into invading Ukraine.

It comes after Mr Farage said that "of course" Vladimir Putin is at fault for his country's war with Kyiv.

But he maintained that the "ever-eastward expansion" of Nato and the European Union had given the Kremlin "an excuse" to move troops across the border.

When asked to what extent he believe the West provoked Russia into invading Ukraine, Lord Robertson said: “That is total nonsense, and sort of typical of the far right, of which Farage is part, cuddling up to the Kremlin with their propaganda.”

He added: "Nigel Farage today has shown his real colours by this sort of, you know, appeasement… One of my successors at Nato… crisply summed it up – if Russia stops fighting, there will be peace.

"If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. That sums it up and I think Nigel Farage should listen to that."

Read more: 'Absolutely not': Finland's president dismisses Nigel Farage’s claim that Nato provoked Russia's war in Ukraine

Read more: Boris Johnson blasts Nigel Farage for spreading 'Kremlin propaganda' over Russian invasion of Ukraine

Lord Robertson disputes Farage's claims on Ukraine war

Mr Farage has also faced criticism from former PM Boris Johnson, who accused him of spreading 'Kremlin Propaganda'.

The Reform UK leader said he was not an "apologist" for the Russian president but "what I have been saying for the past 10 years is that the West has played into Putin's hands, giving him the excuse to do what he wanted to do anyway".

Mr Johnson accused him of "ahistorical drivel".

"Nobody provoked Putin. Nobody 'poked the bear with a stick'," he said.

"The people of Ukraine voted overwhelmingly in 1991 to be a sovereign and independent country.

"They were perfectly entitled to seek both Nato and EU membership. There is only one person responsible for Russian aggression against Ukraine - both in 2014 and 2022 - and that is Putin.

"To try to spread the blame is morally repugnant and parroting Putin's lies."

The President of Finland also dismissed the claims, saying he "absolutely does not" agree with the comments.

"With all due respect to Mr Nigel Farage, I don’t agree with many things that he usually says," he added.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The 40-year-old former X Factor star apologised to fans on Instagram with a heartfelt message.

'Glasgow, I'm so sorry', Olly Murs tells fans in emotional video after he pulls the plug on his show and walks off stage

Ncuti Gatwa attending the premiere of Doctor Who season two, at the Odeon Luxe West End, Leicester Square, London, in March 2025.

Doctor Who bosses deny claims star Ncuti Gatwa 'axed' from show

The footage shows Wendy Rush, the wife of Mr Rush, hearing the sound of the implosion while watching from the sub's support ship, asking: "What was that bang?"

Chilling four words spoken by OceanGate CEO’s wife when she unknowingly heard Titan sub imploding during descent

Andrew Malkinson (left) was wrongfully convicted of rape in 2003. Karen Kneller (right), chief executive of the CCRC, which was criticised for its handling of the case.

Criminal Cases Review Commission chief’s position ‘no longer tenable’ after mishandling of Malkinson case, MPs warn

Millions of people will see their bills drop by £129

Millions of people to save £129 on bills as energy price cap drops to £1,720 per year

The container ship NCL Salten ran aground, just a few meters from Johan Helberg's house. The 135-meter-long ship ran aground in the Trondheimsfjord outside Byneset on Thursday night.

'A bulky new neighbour’: Man in Norway stunned as huge container ship crashes into his front garden

Exclusive
members of Kneecap, Liam Og O Hannaigh (Mo Chara), JJ O'Dochartaigh (aDJ Provai) and Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) attending the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards.

'Total disgrace': Politicians call for rethink on Kneecap festival gig after member charged with terror offence

32-year-old Katie Matthews from Lincoln.

‘I’m not ready to die’: Mum diagnosed with rare cancer while pregnant with twins pleads for stem cell donor

"Hamas release the hostages. Stop war. Israel be released from Benjamin Netanyahu."

U2’s Bono calls to ‘stop war’ as band perform Sunday Bloody Sunday at award ceremony

Ms Kendall said the scheme would "make sure every young person is earning or learning and gets the chances and choices they deserve to build a better life".

Liz Kendall vows to give young people ‘chances and choices’ for a better life

NHS app

Patients able to track prescription status with new ‘Amazon-style’ service

A handheld SSE smart meter for household energy usage is held next to an electricity meter.

Ofgem to confirm latest energy price cap for household bills

A British boy has died after being pulled from a hotel pool in San Miguel de Abona.

British boy, 4, drowns in Tenerife hotel swimming pool despite lifeguards attempting to rescue him

Drummer Daniel Williams of The Devil Wears Prada

Beloved drummer feared dead after posting chilling picture hours before San Diego plane crash

Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh outside the 100 Club in Oxford Street, central London, where the trio announced a surprise gig for Thursday evening.

Kneecap star arrives at show with tape over mouth a day after terror charge

Suspect Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and with the murder of foreign officials.

Man, 30, charged with first-degree murder of Israeli embassy couple shot dead in Washington DC