Putin’s populist puppets

Speaking to Nick Robinson on a special election BBC Panorama show, Nigel Farage has shown himself to be more than a right-wing populist provocator—he’s a genuine threat to British and western democratic freedoms. The Reform UK leader recalled, “I stood up in the European Parliament in 2014 and said, ‘there will be a war in Ukraine.’ Why did I say that? It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say ‘they’re coming for us again’ and to go to war.”

This quote is more than just a man musing about the war in Ukraine; it’s dangerous because it echoes and legitimises the aggressive rationale used by Russia to justify its illegal actions. Putin is using Farage as a ventriloquist’s dummy. By framing Western expansion as a provocation, Farage not only undermines the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, but also emboldens authoritarian regimes by implying that their violent hostility to democratic alliances, such as NATO is warranted. This rhetoric weakens international solidarity against aggression, destabilising global security and encouraging further hostile actions by leaders who claim to feel threatened by democratic alliances.

Farage isn’t alone; across the Western world, the populist Right seems besotted by Putin. Donald Trump has frequently praised Putin, describing him as a strong and decisive leader and highlighting his leadership skills. In France, Marine Le Pen follows the same reasoning, as does Matteo Salvini, deputy PM and leader of the Le ga party, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil.

Putin’s potential funding and help of this rogues’ gallery of populists is much discussed and remains a topic of contention, but there’s also a clear reflection of these populist leaders in the image of Putin. In many ways populists are “mini- Putins ” and the likes of Liz Truss and Suella Braverman, neither of whom is a Putin admirer, should be more careful about the company they keep.

The Populist / Putin love affair starts with the strongman image. Putin projects an image of strength and decisiveness, which appeals to populists who value strong, centralised leadership . Putin emphasises national sovereignty and prioritises Russian interests over global cooperation . This resonates with populists, who loathe international institutions and agreements. Putin’s stance against what he perceives as foreign interference aligns with the populist critique of globalism. Farage and his arguments against the EU are eerily similar to this Putin view.

Populists frequently position themselves against established elites and bureaucrats. Putin’s criticism of Western political elites and his portrayal of Russia as a nation standing up against a decadent and hypocritical West fit well with Farage’s political narrative. Putin’s control over the media and use of state propaganda to shape public opinion is admired by some populists, who seek to manage their public image and suppress dissenting voices. This includes leveraging the media to  cultivate a favourable portrayal and discredit opposition. Farage’s natural home is GB News, railing against the mainstream media or the BBC.

Putin often claims to champion traditional values and portrays himself as a defender of conservative social norms. This stance appeals to populists, who resist liberal social policies and advocate a return to traditional cultural values. Again, this is part of the Farage and Western populist angle on woke culture and the younger generation being worthless snowflakes. Putin’s assertive foreign policy, especially his actions in Ukraine and Syria, is seen by some populists as a model of how a nation should assert itself on the global stage. His willingness to defy Western opposition and pursue Russia’s interests forcefully is viewed as a display of national strength and sovereignty.

For the likes of Farage, it would seem part of the appeal of Putin is as a symbol of resistance against a perceived liberal, globalist order. His opposition to NATO, the European Union, and other Western alliances aligns with the anti-establishment sentiments common among populist movements.

It may be over-kill to state that a vote for Nigel Farage is a vote for Putin . But  Farage’s rhetoric and positions align with, and legitimise , Putin’s aggression against the West. By suggesting that NATO and EU expansion provoked Russia into invading Ukraine, Farage echoes and justifies Putin’s narrative, which undermines Western solidarity and security. This stance weakens international opposition to Russian aggression, emboldens Putin’s expansionist ambitions, and signals a tolerance for undermining democratic nations’ sovereignty.

Voting for Farage isn’t a much-needed kick to the liberal elite; it’s profoundly unpatriotic and anti-Western, no matter how many times Nigel wraps himself in the Union Flag. I can understand the urge to protest on polling day, but if you do, then spoil your ballot or vote for Count Binface. Anything but vote for Putin’s populist puppet.

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