In Britain, right-wing populists removed the Ukrainian flag from the council building after winning the elections

The Ukrainian flag, which had been flying there since 2022, has been removed from the Essex County Council building in the United Kingdom. This happened after the right-wing populist party Reform UK won the local elections.

Council chairman Peter Harris called the removal of the flag a “moment of pride” and assured that this step did not mean a decrease in support for Ukraine from the county’s residents. The council explained that the new approach is in line with Reform UK’s policy, which allows only British, national, county or military flags to be displayed on buildings under its control. The issue of further display of the Ukrainian flag is planned to be discussed with the local Ukrainian community.

Opposition representatives criticized the decision, warning that it could be perceived as a weakening of support for Ukraine and send the wrong political signal.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, won local elections in early May. Farage has repeatedly made controversial statements about the war in Ukraine, in particular, suggesting that the expansion of the EU and NATO could provoke the conflict, although he later rejected accusations of pro-Russian views and spoke in support of Ukraine’s membership in NATO.

Despite domestic political disputes, the UK continues to support Ukraine. Following Russia’s massive strike on May 14, Defence Secretary John Healy ordered the acceleration of the supply of British air defence and anti-drone systems to Kyiv.