ONE of the many ironies in the support for Ukip is Nigel Farage’s support for Russia and the fact that he has appeared on Russian state television 17 times since 2010. He is on so frequently that he is listed by the broadcaster as one of their special guests.

The relationship between the Soviet Union/Russia and Western Europe has been fraught for a century, with nuclear weapons pointing in either direction for 50 years.

When the Soviet Union collapsed a string of countries took their chance for freedom including: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. They all joined the European Union.

It is easy to understand why Putin’s Russia, having seen the USSR fall apart, wants to weaken the European Union. It is easy to see why Russia is promoting Nigel Farage; just as it is easy to see why Russia is destabilising the Ukraine and Syria.

What is less clear is how ordinary British people seem unable to understand that Farage’s media support from Russia, while Farage praises Putin, has nothing to do with British interests and everything to do with Russian interests.

Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.