British soldiers were able to defend Sweden and Finland against Russian invasion
British soldiers can be sent to defend Sweden and Finland against Russian invasion as part of new defense pacts with the two countries, Boris Johnson said on Wednesday when he promised to support their applications to join NATO.
Britain promised to support the Swedish and Finnish armies – including with troops if requested – if they were to be attacked when Johnson moved to support the resistance against Vladimir Putin. Stockholm and Helsinki have provided similar insurance to the United Kingdom.
“We have been forced to discuss how we can best strengthen our divided defense against the empty conceit of a tyrant from the 21st century,” said the Prime Minister, who has also offered to deploy more British air, land and naval forces in the region. borders. Russia.
He confirmed that British troops could be sent and said: “What we say emphatically is that, in the event of an attack on Sweden, Britain would come to Sweden’s aid with whatever Sweden requested.”
Asked if the deal meant Britain would use its nuclear weapons to defend Sweden, Johnson said: “It’s something we do not comment on in general. But what I made clear is that it is up to either party to make a request, and we will take it. in the highest regard of seriousness.”
Sweden and Finland have both sent weapons to Ukraine. The two non-NATO members, like Ukraine, are not covered by Article five of the Alliance, which guarantees that a declaration of war against one member is one for all.
Johnson signed the new security agreements with the Swedish Prime Minister and the President of Finland during a visit to both countries on Wednesday.
The pacts mean that joint military training and exercises and deployments will be intensified, intelligence sharing will be intensified and defenses against cyber attacks will be strengthened.
“Together, we must address the challenges that arise from Russia’s actions, wherever they occur,” said a political declaration from Britain and Sweden agreed in Harpsund.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The leaders agreed that the aftermath of Putin’s abhorrent invasion of Ukraine had fundamentally changed the international security architecture. They emphasized that relations with Putin could never be normalized.”
Sweden and Finland pursued a policy of freedom of alliance with NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War, but Russia’s invasion spurred the debate on whether to join NATO, which is expected to approve every application.
Putin warned that none of the countries should join NATO before his invasion of Ukraine in February, and Russia has threatened to build up its military presence in the region if it applies to join.
“The war in Ukraine is forcing us all to make difficult decisions,” Johnson told a news conference in Sweden. “But sovereign nations must be free to make these decisions without fear or influence or threat of retaliation.”
The Prime Minister clarified Britain’s “unwavering support” for NATO’s open door policy. “We will be equally helpful and supportive [applications to join] as we can, “he said.
Other NATO members such as Germany and the United States have also signaled support if Sweden and Finland decide to apply for membership.
“I very much appreciate the strong support your government has expressed for our security and our right to make our own security policy choices,” Magdalena Andersson, Sweden’s Prime Minister, told Johnson.
“Are we more secure with this declaration? Yes, we are. Of course it means something. This is important no matter what political choice we make in Sweden.”
Sweden and Finland have not yet made a formal application to join NATO, but if they do, they are expected to merge.
Sweden has been non-aligned for more than 200 years, while Finland became neutral after its invasion of the Soviet Union in World War II.
Finland’s support for joining NATO increased to a record 76 percent, after years of only 20 to 25 percent, after the invasion of Ukraine. In Sweden, 57 percent now want to be part of another historic shift.
Both countries have modern, well-equipped armies that will strengthen NATO defenses, which experts said was evidence of another strategic mistake by Putin.
National conscription is still mandatory for all men in Finland, which has about 900 0000 reservists in a country with only 5.5 million. It also has an 810-mile border with Russia, which will be a strategic headache for Putin by straining his resources when considering troop placements.
Sauli Niinisto, President of Finland, is expected to support NATO membership. The Finnish Parliament’s Defense Committee recently recommended that the government join the alliance.
Pekka Toveri, a former intelligence chief for the Finnish Defense Forces, told The Telegraph: “We are the best-equipped military in northern Europe. For decades, we have defended NATO’s northern flank for free. Now we are finally taking something back.
“We just want to be at peace, but if you f —— cross the border, you’ll have to pay the price.”
Janne Kuusela, Director General of the Finnish Ministry of Defense, said: “We can deal with whatever Russia chooses to throw in our face. Finland is indivisible. We will fight to the very last Finn.”