Nigel Farage is facing criticism for echoing Russian viewpoints after expressing his opposition to sending troops to Ukraine. Labour cabinet member Pat McFadden, a close associate of Keir Starmer, raised doubts about Farage’s reliability on national security issues. McFadden emphasized that Farage’s stance should make voters think twice.
Recently, the UK Prime Minister and French President Macron made a joint commitment to deploy troops to Ukraine if a peace agreement is achieved. This move aims to establish a multinational force in Ukraine to deter potential Russian aggression. Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov acknowledged the significance of this declaration, indicating uncertainty in Putin’s next steps.
McFadden highlighted the importance of this commitment, stating that it not only benefits Ukraine but also safeguards Europe. He criticized Farage for aligning with Kremlin perspectives, questioning whether someone who echoes these views can be trusted to lead the UK in matters of national security.
The UK government has promised a parliamentary vote on sending troops to Ukraine post-peace agreement. Farage expressed reservations about committing troops, citing limitations in manpower and equipment for an open-ended operation. Starmer praised the progress made on security guarantees during the Paris meeting, without specifying the exact troop numbers.
In a parliamentary exchange, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Starmer for clarity on the number of troops to be sent to Ukraine in a peacekeeping capacity. Starmer assured that troop deployment would only occur after a ceasefire, focusing on supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities and deterrence operations. The specific troop numbers will be determined based on military plans and consultation with other nations before deployment.