"[Putin] is a very strong leader. He is putting Russia first."
"I admire him from the point of view that he is standing up for his country," UKIP's home affairs spokesman said during Women Leaders' Debates on LBC Radio.
UKIP's Diane James on Putin: "I admire him in sense he's standing up for his country. He's a very strong leader. He is putting Russia first"
— Jack Blanchard (@Jack_Blanchard_) 9 апреля 2015
James also pointed out that Russian president "has issues with the way the EU encouraged a change of government in Ukraine which he felt put at risk, put in danger, a Russian population in that country."
The member of the European Parliament for South East England made the comments during a debate with senior female politicians from other UK parties. Nicky Morgan, a Conservative MP and secretary for education, Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour party, and Lynne Featherstone, a British Liberal Democrat politician, also took part in the debate.
After last week's 4% CON lead tonight's ComRes/Mail phone poll has Con 34% (-2) Lab 33% (+1) Lib Dem 12% (+3) UKIP 12% (NC)
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) 9 апреля 2015
The general election in the United Kingdom will take place on May 7, 2015.