Nigel Farage fends off claims he's soft on Putin as Reform launches national security review branding Russia Britain's 'greatest threat'

Published: 17:39 EST, 13 November 2026 | Updated: 17:39 EST, 13 November 2026 Nigel Farage will attempt to fend off accusations of being soft on Putin, as Reform declares Russia Britain's 'greatest state threat'.A new national security review launched by the party tomorrow accuses the Russian leader of 'waging a hybrid war' against the UK, as Mr Farage insists he is 'clear-eyed' about the threat from the Kremlin.Reform's new defence spokesman and former RAF commander, Angus MacIntyre, who will lead the review, warned: 'The threats our country faces are stark and I will never flinch from confronting them.'From the outset, the party's security review also issues damning conclusions about Iran and China, branding Tehran as the 'largest state-sponsor of terrorism', and Beijing a 'tyrannical regime bent on the domination of the world'.It states that Russia, China and Iran, taken together, represent 'fundamental threats to the security of the West'.Mr Farage, whose time in frontline politics has been dogged by accusations that he is sympathetic to Russia, said: 'Unlike the old parties, we are clear-eyed about the threats from Russia, Iran, China and the rising threat from Islamist extremists.'And, unlike Andy Burnham, we'll secure our borders and give our armed forces the funding they need now.'Last night Reform said its review will be informed by eight principles, including protection of borders, prioritising the Euro-Atlantic region, and ensuring 'internal cohesion and allegiance to the Crown'. Nigel Farage with new armed forces spokesman Angus Macintyre, who will lead Reform's new national security review Announcing the review, Reform said that Russia is Britain's 'greatest state threat' It also brands China's government as a 'tyrannical regime bent on the domination of the world'A party source also said that Reform's security and diplomatic approach would mean an end to virtue-signalling foreign policy, prioritising 'practical rather than performative' measures to keep Britain safe.The review was backed by Richard Williams, former SAS commanding officer, who said: 'This is the right approach. Start with the things we have to do - homeland defence, the Euro-Atlantic, national cohesion - and build from there.'It's good to see a political party prepared to give a strong lead on national security.'Earlier this month, Mr Farage was forced to fend off fresh allegations that he is weak on Russia, after The Times revealed 2022 comments from the Reform leader in which he said he 'understood' why Putin annexed Crimea, arguing he had been a 'rational player' at the time.In 2014, he also told GQ magazine that Putin was the world leader that he admired the most 'as an operator, but not as a human being'.Mr Farage has always insisted he was 'wildly misquoted' in the interview, and pointed to more recent comments as Reform leader in which he backed shooting down Russian fighter jets that enter Nato airspace.Reform has also backed freezing Russian assets to help Ukraine.Responding to Reform's announcement, Labour security minister Luke Pollard said: 'This Labour Government is clear about the threat posed by Putin and we've backed Ukraine with billions in weapons and capability as they fight for freedom everywhere.'We're delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War to keep Britain safe now and in the future.'