Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, has said that his party will conduct a thorough review of British aid to Ukraine if it comes to power.
According to Farage, Kyiv is “one of the most corrupt countries on earth.” He said he was “very concerned” about how British taxpayers’ money had been spent.
“I have never said we should not support Ukraine — never. But I would like to look closely at the situation to make sure British taxpayers’ money is not being swallowed up by corruption,” Farage said at a press conference in Kent.
Since February 2022, the British government has allocated £25 billion to Ukraine. This includes £16 billion in military aid, up to £5.6 billion in non-military support, and £3.5 billion in loan guarantees for export financing. Both parliamentary sources and statements by Ukraine’s ambassador to London, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, confirm these figures.
Farage stressed that Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration was “rocked by corruption allegations.” In his view, this could make holding general elections in Ukraine an important step at some point.
“At some point, Ukraine will need elections if it wants to be a country that aspires to Western values. When exactly they take place remains to be seen. We held elections even during the Second World War,” the politician added.
Farage on Ukraine Aid and Corruption Allegations
Farage made these remarks as the rift between Washington and Kyiv continued to deepen. US President Donald Trump had previously announced plans to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports. After Zelenskyy criticized the move, Trump said: “It’s time for Ukraine to have a new president.”
Farage, a longtime Trump ally, did not support the call for a change of leadership in Kyiv. However, he did not condemn it either.
“I understand that Trump and Zelenskyy have a somewhat turbulent relationship, so this is not a surprising development,” Farage said.
Farage also disagreed with Trump’s decision to buy Russian diesel. However, he shifted his criticism to European countries. “They are buying huge quantities of Russian petrochemicals” during the war, he said.
Reform UK Poll Ratings and Farage’s Plans
Reform UK ranks second in opinion polls, with 22% support. The governing Labour Party leads with 27%, while the Conservatives are third with 18%.
Farage said he was “ready to work with anyone from any party” after the election to put his plans into action. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had previously said she would rather seek a second general election than enter a governing pact with Reform UK.
