Britain signs security agreement with Sweden and Finland after Russia’s invasion
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson has promised to support both Sweden’s and Finland’s armed forces should they be attacked, in the wake of Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
Johnson signed the new declarations, which are described by the United Kingdom as “a gradual change in defense and security co-operation”, during a visit to both Sweden and Finland on Wednesday.
“What it says is that in the event of a disaster, or in the event of an attack on any of us, we will help each other, including with military assistance,” Johnson told a news conference in Helsinki on Wednesday.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced a reconsideration of how Sweden and neighboring Finland safeguard national security.
Both are expected to join NATO, but both are worried that they would be vulnerable while their applications are being processed, which could take up to a year.
Asked if Finland would provoke Russia by joining NATO, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be guilty of any decision to join the military alliance.
“My answer would be that you caused this. Look in the mirror,” Niinisto said.
Sweden has also received assurances of support from the USA and Germany.
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Johnson said earlier with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson: “The war in Ukraine is forcing us all to make difficult decisions. But sovereign nations must be free to make these decisions without fear or influence or threat of retaliation.”
Britain said the new arrangements would intensify intelligence sharing and speed up joint military training, exercises and deployments.
Johnson said the type of all help will “bear on the other party’s request”. But he said NATO was a defensive alliance.
“NATO does not pose a threat to anyone. It is there for mutual defense,” he told a news conference in Helsinki.
-AAP
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