Nigel Farage supporter defends his Vladimir Putin remarks | LBC

Political commentator Charlie Downes tells Matt Frei that, whether you agree with his Russia comments or not, Nigel Farage is doing what other 'mainstream politicians' are afraid to do - 'speaking his mind'.

Downes, who is in favour of creating a Reform UK party youth group, says that nobody can deny Farage is 'dissenting against the orthodoxy.'

He tells Matt, "A conversation isn't allowed to be had. It just turns into: 'Oh, he's a Putin apologist.'"

His comments come after the Reform UK Leader said the West had provoked Russia into invading Ukraine.

Farage said the "ever-eastward expansion" of NATO and the European Union had given the Kremlin "an excuse" to move troops across the border.

#nigelfarage #reformuk #LBC #vladimirputin #russia #generalelection

LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.

[ycxfcvy]

The political system in 🇬🇧 UK is rotten 😂😂😂😂

[campervannation]

To be fair Farage predicted this Russia Ukraine war 10 years ago. Was he wrong then ?😊

[claudeyaz]

There is a difference between justifying invasion..and saying "we knew these actions would trigger an attack..and we did it anyways."

[briankinslow]

It sound true to me . Why are we not allowed to speak about it. Look at Cuba in the 60s . U S didn’t like Russia on there doorstep

[harrycallahan]

America didn't tolerate nuclear bombs on their doorstep in the Cuban crisis, why should Russia allow it?

[emtaylor]

This is very reminiscent of what is happening in America with Trump. Farage is speaking Trump's mind.

[alanpettifer]

Did Farage say that he supported Russia and Putin, NO...did he say that he supported Ukraine, YES...so what is all this media fuss about, absolutely nothing.

[pav]

He said what the world knows. Theres a reason why theres only a couple of countries supporting UKRN. Would US allow other countries to build militery bases on its borders??

[MartinPHE]

In early February 1990, U.S. leaders made the Soviets an offer. According to transcripts of meetings in Moscow on Feb. 9, then-Secretary of State James Baker suggested that in exchange for cooperation on Germany, U.S. could make “iron-clad guarantees” that NATO would not expand “one inch eastward.”

[hellsbells]

Absolutely spot on young man. Farage was right in 2014 and he's right now. Vote Reform Uk

[paddyproperty]

This kid knows what he’s talking about we are sick of been told how to think by the political class

[Morris]

Heres an idea LBC. How about letting your guests answer questions when you ask

[Flaygar]

Could you interrupt him more after asking a question?🤔

[AndyA]

Farage isn't condoning Putin he's only saying that the Europeans gave him a reason he could justify to his people for the invasion. Ask Starmer about Labour, Blair, Iraq & WMDs.

[paulsawtell]

It would be refreshing if the young man were allowed to answer the questions without the interviewer crashing in all the time

[douglastaggart]

Farage is absolutely correct about Russia and Ukraine and most people don't give a damm about Ukraine and don't see Russia as our enemy.

[christopherday]

Matt Frei, "NATO's a defensive alliance" 😂

[davidingram]

Another presenter who can't get it in his thick head this country needs to change. Every one is sick to the back teeth of the woke government. Time for change, I'm only 70 yrs old what do I know. All I know is a vote for Reform will give the UK a brighter future !

[aa-imqo]

This guy Charlie Downes is absolutely brilliant. Effortlessly ran rings around that woke ideologue interviewing him. A future PM?

[alimosharrington]

We used to have a healthcare workforce that came here and were educated without cost to the UK government and usually without dependents or with working dependents paying tax...then we decided to cone out of the EU and realised we stilk needed the workforce but had to look elsewhere for them. Genius move.