A controversial British politician blames the West for war in Ukraine and praises Putin in BBC interview

Controversial British politician Nigel Farage, nicknamed the "Brexit Godfather" in his homeland, caused a scandal with his statements on BBC television. The politician claimed that the West "provoked" Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Nigel Farage is the leader of the right-wing populist party Reform UK. His latest interview on BBC television caused quite a stir in the United Kingdom.

It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of Nato and the European Union was giving this man a reason … to say: ‘They’re coming for us again,’ and to go to war. We provoked this war. Of course it’s his fault, he’s used what we’ve done as an excuse - Farage said on BBC.

Farage mentioned that in one of his speeches at the European Parliament in 2014, he predicted that war would break out in Ukraine. He argued that no one took his words seriously at the time.

The politician also spoke about his admiration for Vladimir Putin. In 2014, he listed the Russian president as the most admired politician.

I said I disliked him as a person, but admired him as a political operator because he's managed to take control of running Russia – he explained.

Farage denied that he was 'echoing' Putin’s rhetoric about the threat to Russia from the West. The politician argues that he has been "arguing" this since the 1990s.

The words of the Reform UK party leader caused widespread controversy. A former British military intelligence officer, Colonel Philip Ingram, called Farage a threat to the security of the United Kingdom.

Putin will be smiling to himself seeing his work being done. Farage is a convenient mouthpiece for disinformation and a danger to our security with views like that - the military officer commented to the "Daily Mail."

Nigel Farage's controversial interview is part of an election campaign. On July 4, parliamentary elections will be held in the United Kingdom. His party, Reform UK, has about 15-20% support in the latest polls. However, due to the electoral system in the House of Commons, the party will win only a few seats.