Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has labelled Nigel Farage as a “Putin apologist” over the Reform UK leader's comments about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Davey, who was speaking exclusively to GB News from the Essex target seat of Chelmsford, also claimed the Liberal Democrats were among the strongest supporters of Kyiv.
He said: “I share no values at all, the Liberal Democrats share no values at all with Nigel Farage and Reform.”
Davey added: “I think he was being an apologist to Putin which is probably the most important defence and security issue facing our country.
Sir Ed Davey slammed Nigel Farage over UkraineGB NEWS/PA“The Liberal Democrats have, I think, been one of the strongest parties saying that we need to stand by Ukraine.
“When I go around our country, cities and towns and villages, I see British people with the British flag and the Ukrainian flag.
“I think that a true patriot is behind Ukraine and is against Putin.
“I can’t understand why there’s politicians, like him [Farage], in favour of Putin.”
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Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey speaks to media after a visit to Richard James Hub, London
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The Liberal Democrats last year welcomed the UK’s efforts to help arm Ukraine, urged the Government to encourage allies to support Kyiv and voiced support for isolating Russia as a “rogue state”.
Doubling down, the Liberal Democrats warned “Putin’s cronies have treated this country as their playground for too long” and stressed “Ukraine must win”.
Davey’s latest comments came after Farage received a backlash for blaming Nato and EU expansionism for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Farage, who was involved in a separate Ukraine-related spat with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, claimed he had been arguing about a potential war in the ex-Soviet state as a result of “ever-eastward expansion” since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The Reform UK leader also argued the West “provoked the conflict”, later insisting it was still “of course” the “fault” of the Russian President.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking on top of a double decker bus at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel in Maidstone Kent
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Speaking yesterday, Farage urged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to seek a peace deal with Russia.
He argued that reclaiming Crimean territory was going to be “incredibly difficult”.
After it was pointed out that Zelensky’s ultimate ambition was to reclaim all territory taken by Russia, Farage added: “Well, there may be no young men left in Ukraine.”
As many as 500,000 Russian and Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded since Putin launched his illegal invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine reported close to 70,000 fatalities and a further 120,000 casualties.