The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) chief Nigel Farage has named Putin as the world leader he most admires and praised the Russian president's skills as a brilliant operator, confirmed by his recent handling of the civil war in Syria.
The latest comments come just days after Farage blamed Europe of having blood on its hands for encouraging rebellion in Ukraine, Syria and Libya.
Reacting on being asked what his opinion was on Russia's annexation of Crimea, Farage said, "If you poke the Russian bear with a stick he will respond."
Farage is a well-known Eurosceptic and has been campaigning strongly for UK to leave the EU.
Asked to name his favourite world leader from present times, Farage said "As an operator, but not as a human being, I would say Putin. The way he played the whole Syria thing ... Brilliant. Not that I approve of him politically".
Putin is now the number one adversary of the west.
British Prime Minister David Cameron recently sent a strong warning to Putin over the annexation of Crimea saying that he either "take the path of de-escalation or face increasing isolation and tighter sanctions".
Cameron said it was completely unacceptable for Russia to use force to change borders "on the basis of a sham referendum held at the barrel of a Russian gun".
"President Putin should be in no doubt that Russia will face more serious consequences and I will push European leaders to agree further EU measures when we meet on Thursday," Cameron warned.
In his first direct attack on the Russian president, Cameron said, "The steps taken by President Putin to attempt to annex Crimea to Russia are in flagrant breach of international law and send a chilling message across the continent of Europe."
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