VOLODYMYR Zelensky must strike a deal with Russia or risk “annihilation,” Nigel Farage has warned.
The Reform chief slammed the Ukrainian leader for being “very unwise” in his handling of last week’s tense Oval Office showdown with Donald Trump.
Reform leader Nigel Farage claimed Zelensky had ‘overplayed his hand’ by warning US politicians of the consequences if they withdrew supportAP
PASir Keir Starmer with President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron[/caption]
US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House
But he insisted that despite the backlash over the confrontation, it could actually help bring peace to Europe.
Speaking to LBC, Farage claimed Zelensky had “overplayed his hand” by warning US politicians of the consequences if they withdrew support — a move that saw Trump and his allies, including Vice President JD Vance, hit back.
He said: “Yes, of course, they bit back at him, but he had overplayed his hand.
“Before Zelensky even left the White House, he was willing to go back in and sign the minerals deal.”
He also suggested he should have worn a suit if he wanted to make a serious impression.
Farage went on: “The truth is that the longer the war goes on, the more it suits Russia.
“And wars either end with a deal or they end in annihilation.”
On Zelensky’s outfit choices, he added: “If I turned up on the White House, I’d make sure I was wearing a suit…
“Our Prime Minister was briefed and briefed and briefed as to how to deal with the visit to the White House. If you’re going in with a positive mindset, maybe Zelensky should have thought about that.”
But dismissing claims that the meeting was a diplomatic disaster, he said: “Despite a lot of nonsense you read and hear about that meeting being the end of the world, it’s all going to be a disaster… I actually think good is going to come of Friday. Zelensky is going to sign the deal.”
Asked if we are closer to peace as a result of Friday, Farage said: “Very much so because, because Zelensky has had to wake up and smell the coffee.”
The Reform chief’s claims come after Sir Keir Starmer yesterday announced Britain and France will lead a new “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine with jets and troops.
After hosting crunch talks in London with European leaders, the PM told a press conference: “This is not a moment for more talk, it is time to act.”
He unveiled a £1.6 billion finance deal to help Ukraine buy more than 5,000 missiles and vowed to keep the weapons flowing while ramping up economic pressure on Russia.
Sir Keir insisted the UK was ready to send “boots on the ground and planes in the air”, alongside France and others.
Once the details are ironed out, Sir Keir and Mr Macron will present the plan for peace to Trump, acting as a “bridge” between Washington and Kyiv.
Sir Keir added: “Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back.
“Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency.”
He acknowledged the effort would need “strong US backing”, but dismissed doubts about America’s commitment to Ukraine.
The PM said: “The US has been a reliable ally to the UK for many, many decades, and continues to be.”
“There are no two countries as closely aligned as our two countries and our defence, our security and intelligence is intertwined in a way no two other countries are, so it’s an important and reliable ally for us.”
On Sunday, the Prime Minister also brushed off calls to cancel Donald Trump’s state visit following the explosive Oval Office row with Zelensky.
Some politicians, including Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, have demanded the offer be withdrawn after Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of not showing enough gratitude for US support.
But the PM hit back, slamming those trying to “ramp up the rhetoric” instead of focusing on securing peace.
He told the BBC: “I’m not going to be diverted by the SNP or others trying to ramp up the rhetoric without really appreciating what is the single most important thing at stake here, we’re talking about peace in Europe.”
Following the summit, Zelensky travelled to Sandringham for an audience with the King, where he was warmly received.
The meeting, which lasted just under an hour, was held over refreshments, in what was seen as a strong show of British support after tensions in Washington.
The Ukrainian leader’s visit to the UK was part of a major diplomatic push, with leaders at Lancaster House agreeing to meet again soon to hammer out the details of the plan.
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