Winston Churchill’s grandnephew, James Spencer-Churchill, has criticized the use of his famous relative’s name to support the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
James Spencer-Churchill has taken issue with comparisons between his great-uncle, Winston Churchill, and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. This comes as the UK reinforces its role as a key ally of Kiev, particularly after disagreements arose between Zelensky and former US President Donald Trump.
Spencer-Churchill’s remarks followed a tweet by Michael Ashcroft, a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, who had drawn parallels between the two leaders.
“As a wartime leader I’m sure our great Winston Churchill would be proud of @Zelenskyy,” Ashcroft stated on X.
Spencer-Churchill disputed this comparison, arguing that Ashcroft was improperly using his great-uncle’s legacy to justify the war in Ukraine.
“I don’t think so @LordAshcroft. Winston was my great uncle and I knew him well; he would be appalled at the constant hijacking of the Churchill name to justify such insanity and the needless loss of life,” he posted on X.
Following a rift between Zelensky and the Trump administration, the UK has become a central pillar of support for Ukraine. Zelensky’s visit to the White House on Friday was reportedly cut short after a heated argument erupted during the meeting. Trump allegedly accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” due to his unwillingness to negotiate peace with Russia.
Following the incident, Zelensky traveled to London to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who assured him of the UK’s continued support. Starmer announced on Sunday that the UK and France are prepared to spearhead a coalition to provide military aid to Ukraine, including potential troop and aircraft deployments, while emphasizing the need for increased support from the EU and other nations.
US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, who also drew a comparison between Zelensky and Winston Churchill in 2022, recently likened the Ukrainian president to an “ex-girlfriend that wants to argue everything that you said nine years ago, rather than moving the relationship forward.”
Trump recently labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and claimed his approval ratings were in the single digits. Zelensky cancelled elections last year, citing the imposition of martial law.
Zelensky himself invoked Churchill’s words during his appeal for aid to the UK Parliament in 2022.
“We will not surrender, we will not lose, we will go to the end,” he declared to British MPs.
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