Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader and longtime Donald Trump ally, has taken a sharp turn on Ukraine. In an explosive Telegraph interview on November 21, 2025, the 61-year-old blasted the White House’s controversial 28-point peace proposal.
His main objection is the plan’s demand that Ukraine reduce its army from around one million troops to just 600,000 — a cut Farage calls “not acceptable.” This marks a rare disagreement with Trump and strengthens Farage’s pro-Ukraine credentials, just as Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer accuses him of Kremlin sympathies.
The leaked peace plan, developed by US and Russian negotiators, requires Kyiv to give up control of the Donbas regions and freeze front lines in key areas. It also demands Kyiv ban NATO membership and lift most Western sanctions on Russia. Additionally, Moscow would be allowed to rejoin the G8 club.
The proposed troop reduction from one million to 600,000 has raised concerns that Ukraine would be left vulnerable to further attacks. “I’m waiting for Zelenskyy’s counteroffer,” Farage told the Telegraph, warning the deal hands “far too much” to Putin. His position echoes concerns expressed by European leaders and contrasts sharply with Trump’s rapid push for peace.
Once accused of Kremlin sympathy for blaming NATO expansion for the war, Farage has shifted dramatically since early 2025. He has labelled Putin “not a rational man” and called on NATO to shoot down Russian jets. He also rejected Trump’s “dictator” label on Zelenskyy months ago.
Reform UK’s polling numbers have soared to 28%, overtaking Labour’s 22%, amid strong public support for aid to Ukraine. Ipsos data shows that even 65% of Reform voters support continuing assistance. However, Starmer, Boris Johnson, and Labour MPs remain unconvinced, criticising Farage’s new stance as “too little, too late.”
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy himself retweeted Farage’s comments, praising the “voices of reason” — providing a diplomatic boost for Farage ahead of key elections.
Farage’s blunt critique breaks with Trump but cements his position as a cautious UK voice in a volatile conflict. With betting odds at 2/1 for the next Prime Minister, he signals: “Peace, yes. But not at Ukraine’s expense.”
This shift shows Farage balancing loyalty to transatlantic allies with a firm line on British and European security. As Zelenskyy prepares a counterproposal ahead of the US-imposed Thanksgiving deadline, Farage adds a Eurosceptic perspective to the transatlantic peace talks.
Whether his sharp U-turn influences Washington or remains symbolic will become clear in the coming days — but for now, Farage is staking his claim as a key player shaping the UK’s Ukraine narrative.
Originally published by UKNIP.
