Boris Johnson commits the United Kingdom to concluding a defense pact with Sweden and Finland
The United Kingdom has promised to come to the aid of Sweden and Finland, including with military support, should the two Nordic nations be subjected to attack.
Keyword:
- Boris Johnson says the agreements will “strengthen northern Europe’s defenses”
- Britain offers to increase its military deployments in the region
- Public support for joining NATO has grown in Sweden and Finland since the invasion of Ukraine
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson signed security declarations with his Swedish counterpart in Stockholm and the Finnish President in Helsinki on Wednesday.
Despite a long history of neutrality, the two countries are considering joining NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The new agreements would “strengthen northern Europe’s defense, in the face of renewed threats,” Johnson said, calling them symbols “for the eternal assurance of our nations.”
Wednesday’s agreement also includes closer co-operation on new technology and intelligence gathering between the United Kingdom and the two Nordic countries.
Johnson said he would offer to increase British military deployments in the region, including with assets and personnel from the Air Force, Army and Navy.
Earlier this year, he had said that the deal would allow Britain, a major nuclear-armed NATO member, “to cooperate with key Nordic partners and their armed forces, in all areas, including cyberspace”.
Sweden’s eastern neighbor Finland shares a 1,340 kilometer long land border with Russia.
“We stand here today more united than ever”
“This is not a short-term stop, but a long-term commitment to strengthen military ties and global stability, and strengthen Europe’s defense for future generations,” Johnson said.
“And regardless of whether it is in the event of a disaster or a military attack, what we are saying today is that at the request of the other party we would come to the other party’s help,” he later said at a joint press conference in Sweden with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
He called the war in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “bloodthirsty campaign against a sovereign nation”.
Ms Andersson added: “Putin thought he could cause division, but he has achieved the opposite. We stand here today more united than ever.”
In Finland, Johnson held talks with President Sauli Niinisto, who has a significant role to play in the country’s foreign and security policy decisions.
The Finnish head of state said that Moscow could only blame itself if his 5.5 million nation became a member of NATO.
“You [Russia] caused this. Look in the mirror, “said Mr. Niinisto pointedly,” so in my mind this is quite simple indeed. We increase our security and we do not take it away from anyone. It’s not a zero-sum game. “
The Kremlin has warned of “military and political repercussions” if Sweden and Finland decide to join NATO.
“If Finland takes this historic step, it is for the safety of our own citizens,” said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin during a visit to Japan.
“Joining NATO will strengthen the entire international community that stands for common values.”
The United Kingdom is already present in the Baltic Sea areas with the Joint Expeditionary Force, which consists of 10 northern European nations: Great Britain, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Norway.
AP / ABC