Gavin Robinson has been urged to clarify his party’s position on Ukraine amid claims that recent controversial comments by President Trump echo the sentiments of DUP MP Sammy Wilson.
The DUP leader voiced support for President Zelensky following claims by President Trump that Ukrainian aggression was responsible for starting the war with Russia.
Presisdent Trump’s rhetoric in recent days has been increasingly pro-Putin, prompting criticism from Ukraine’s allies in Europe.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the Ukrainian leader as “democratically elected” after President Trump described him as a “dictator”.
Last June, The Irish News revealed how Mr Wilson claimed the West provoked Vladimir Putin into invading Ukraine – sentiments similar to remarks made by Nigel Farage days earlier that were widely condemned.
The DUP veteran made the comments at a Westminster election hustings in Larne.
Mr Wilson told the audience to listen to what the Reform UK leader said.
“What he said was that if Putin wants an excuse to restore the kind of buffer states around Eastern Europe that Russia would always use as a means of defence after their experience in the Second World War, [then] the EU pushing for expansion will give them the excuse,” he said.
Since Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, I’m proud that the UK has stood firmly for our shared values, defending their sovereignty, people and future.
The Prime Minister is right to recognise President Zelensky’s unwavering resolve. Our support for Ukraine… pic.twitter.com/uBIpJguPBq
— Gavin Robinson (@GRobinsonDUP) February 19, 2025
Mr Wilson said Mr Farage had made it clear he is an opponent of President Putin and opposes the invasion of Ukraine.
In a tweet posted on Thursday, Mr Robinson said: “Since Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, I’m proud that the UK has stood firmly for our shared values, defending their sovereignty, people and future.
“The prime minister is right to recognise President Zelensky’s unwavering resolve. Our support for Ukraine remains undiminished.”
But Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly, who took part in last June’s hustings event alongside Mr Wilson, said the narrative, pedalled by the East Antrim MP and the Reform leader which, he said, claimed President Putin was provoked into invading Ukraine, was “nothing short of a disgrace”.
“To put the focus of this act of aggression on anyone else is incredibly dangerous,” the East Antrim MLA said.
“Gavin Robinson’s statement regarding the true cause of the war is welcome but it is essential he clarifies the party’s actual position, given his East Antrim MP is saying the complete opposite.”
The Irish News contacted the DUP and Mr Wilson but neither commented.