War between Ukraine and Russia: Putin says in speech that “we are close to a point of no return” and launches attack on Western powers | World news

As we reported today in our live political coverage, the right-wing Reform UK Party has overtaken the ruling Conservative Party in an opinion poll for the first time.

Given this development – ​​which puts the Reform Party in second place behind Labour – its leader is expected to come under increased scrutiny.

For this reason, Nigel Farage was asked this morning about his previous praise of the Russian president.

Vladimir Putin is a “clever political operator,” Farage told BBC Radio 5 Live, adding that he “doesn’t like him at all as a person.”

When asked about his admiring comments about the Russian president, the reform leader said: “Yes, but not as a human being.”

Asked why, Mr Farage replied: “How many years has he been in power? He has risen from prime minister to president, he is a skilful political player. He kills journalists, I don’t like him as a person at all.”

“You can see that some people are good at what they do, even if they have bad intentions.”

Asked whether Adolf Hitler was good at what he did, Mr Farage replied: “As a speaker? What do you mean? Clearly he was hypnotic in a very dangerous way.”

For context: In 2014, Mr Farage described Mr Putin as the leader he most admired and called his handling of the Syria crisis “brilliant”.

He said he liked the Russian president more for his working style than for his political and personal approach.

When asked which current head of state he admired most, Farage replied to GQ magazine: “As a politician, but not as a person, I would say Putin.”

“The way he played the whole Syria thing. Brilliant. Not that I approve of him politically. How many journalists are in prison now?”