Fact Check: Farage denies praising Putin despite 2014 comments
The Claim
Nigel Farage has denied ever praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that his words were taken out of context.
Context
In 2014, during a GQ interview, Farage was asked which world leader he most admired. He replied:
“As an operator, I would say Putin.”
At the same time, he described Russia’s annexation of Crimea as “entirely understandable.” These remarks drew widespread criticism in the UK, particularly after Russia’s actions in Ukraine escalated.
In later interviews (2022–2025), Farage attempted to distance himself from the quote, claiming he was never a supporter of Putin and that his remarks were misinterpreted.
The Facts
- The original record: Farage’s 2014 interview with GQ is publicly available. In it, he directly names Putin as the leader he “most admires as an operator.”
- Subsequent comments: He also described Crimea’s annexation as “understandable,” language that aligned with Russian justifications at the time.
- Later denial: In media appearances after the 2022 invasion, Farage argued that his words had been “twisted” and that he never endorsed Putin’s politics.
- Expert interpretation: While Farage may not have endorsed Putin’s ideology, his use of the word “admire” was clear and widely understood as praise. His later denial does not change the fact of what he said.
Verdict
❌ False / Misleading
Farage did describe Vladimir Putin as the leader he most admired “as an operator” in 2014. His later denials overlook the clear wording of his original remarks. While he may not have intended to endorse Putin’s policies, the claim that he “never praised Putin” is contradicted by the record.
Sources
- GQ Interview (2014): Nigel Farage Q&A
- BBC: Farage criticised for Putin admiration remarks
- Channel 4 News: Farage comments on Crimea and Russia
- Full Fact: Did Nigel Farage praise Vladimir Putin?