Farage under fire in UK for echoing Trump’s Zelensky criticism

British politician Nigel Farage is drawing criticism in the United Kingdom after echoing President Trump’s rebuke of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Reform U.K. leader said on radio station Leading Britain’s Conversation he thought Zelensky handled the tense Oval Office meeting with Trump “very badly,” arguing the Ukrainian leader showed no respect for the president.

Farage called Zelensky’s handling of the back-and-forth with Trump and Vice President Vance “very unwise.”

He also criticized the Ukrainian leader for not wearing a suit to the White House, saying Trump is “old-fashioned about this stuff.” 

Zelensky wore an all-black cargo uniform and boots, consistent with what he has worn when meeting other global leaders amid his country’s defensive war against Russia.

“If I turned up at the White House, I would make sure I was wearing a suit and my shoes were clean,” Farage said.

Still, Farage said, “I actually think good is going to come of Friday.” He predicted “Zelensky is going to sign the deal” and said he expects the Ukrainian leader will return to Washington. 

Trump and Zelensky met at the White House on Friday to finalize a rare earth mineral deal between the U.S. and Ukraine amid a broader Trump administration push to bring an end to Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia.

Tensions boiled over at the meeting, with talks over a minerals deal abruptly cut off. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met with Trump days earlier while urging continued U.S. aid for Ukraine, embraced Zelensky in London after the spat.

Starmer, speaking to the U.K.’s House of Commons on Monday, said Western nations must keep aid flowing to Ukraine and criticized Farage over his belittling of Zelensky, The Guardian reported.

“Can I just remind him Russia is the aggressor,” Starmer said. “Zelensky is a war leader whose country has been invaded, and we should all be supporting him, not fawning over Putin.”

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said in a post online that “[e]veryone was appalled by Trump’s disgraceful attack on Zelensky – except Nigel Farage, of course.” He called Farage a spokesman for Trump and said he “just licks Trump’s boots.”

“Trump is not a reliable ally against Russia, so I am proud that the UK is leading with our European and Commonwealth allies for Ukraine’s defence and our collective security,” Davey wrote.

After Trump and Zelensky’s explosive meeting, European leaders quickly rallied behind the Ukrainian president and attempted to find a way forward on peace talks without the United States.