By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A leader of a prominent British far-right group, Mark Collett of Patriotic Alternative, addressed a summit of European extreme nationalist groups in Russia, organized by an oligarch with ties to Vladimir Putin. The event in St Petersburg, the inaugural gathering of the Forum of the International Anti-Globalist League, included other far-right figures from across Europe and was hosted by Konstantin Malofeyev, who has been linked to financing Russian interests. Collett delivered a speech on birthrates and immigration. The revelations have raised concerns among MPs regarding the Kremlin’s attempts to exploit extremist groups to disrupt democracy and sow divisions in the UK.
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Leading UK far-right activist spoke at Russian extreme nationalist event, and frankly, it’s not surprising. It’s almost becoming a predictable headline. The more concerning aspect is the seeming lack of foresight these individuals display, failing to recognize the long game Russia has been playing for years. It’s almost comical how easily they fall for it.
We’re seeing a pattern, unfortunately. The UK isn’t alone. The Netherlands, for example, faces a similar situation with figures like Geert Wilders. He’s visited Russia, spoken in their parliament, and aligned himself with their politicians. He even wore a pro-Russia pin at a time when there was clear evidence of Russia’s involvement in the downing of MH17. He claims to be independent of Russian funding but is not transparent about his finances. This despite this, he’s a very popular figure in his country.
The real threat isn’t necessarily a physical war with Russia. They don’t need it. The conquest is happening from within, through manipulation, misinformation, and the deliberate financing of political entities. The ease with which Russia or, for that matter, someone like Elon Musk, can funnel money – whether through hard cash, offshore accounts, or cryptocurrency – to these parties is alarming.
Ironically, there’s likely near-universal agreement across the political spectrum on opposing these kinds of actions. The far-right, in betraying their countries, are essentially acting as Moscow’s puppets. The irony is that Moscow is flooded with migrants of a different religion. These individuals, consumed by hate and division, should face serious consequences. They seem to care more about the financial gains than their country’s well-being.
The list of participants often includes figures whose backgrounds align with this trend. It’s no surprise that a German politician might be involved. Exposing their actions and connections is crucial. The fact that self-proclaimed conservatives appear to have a strange affinity for Russia is particularly baffling, given Russia’s opposition to core conservative values like freedom of speech.
It’s a betrayal of their country when these far-right figures are essentially taking directions and financial support from a hostile foreign power. They are acting like Nazi sympathizers, promoting another country’s agenda within their own. The constant exposure they receive, sometimes even from major media outlets, only fuels their reach and influence. They are being used, and they seem perfectly happy to be.
These individuals often have a belief system on some level, but they are primarily driven by power and money. They seek the same kind of wealth and influence as the oligarchs. They are essentially selling their souls for a profit. The alarming part is how easily people can be manipulated into adopting such ideologies, making it less humorous and more dangerous.
The sooner we as a society – not just in the UK, but across Europe – acknowledge this as a genuine threat and start treating it as such, the better. Jailing these people for what should be clearly classified as treason is necessary. The fact that a prominent figure like Nathan Gill, who once ran Reform in Wales, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term for taking Russian bribes and promoting Russian propaganda, and that Farage feigns ignorance, speaks volumes.
These figures are often supported financially to keep their “parties” running. These are often the same figures who have been in the spotlight for years. It’s often about money and the expansion of power. They are, in effect, Quislings, hoping to replicate Putin’s authoritarian model within their own countries.
The most dangerous part is how they are gaining traction and popularity. The economic crises have provided the perfect environment for their propaganda. These issues are providing them the opportunity to grow their base, to sell a false hope and continue to take money from a hostile foreign power. The penalty needs to be severe. We are being attacked and we are losing. The fact that people will double down on these actions once indoctrinated is terrifying. A huge problem is that the far-right extremists are often addressing legitimate problems that need solving, and the fact they are focusing on these issues is the first step in the pipeline.