Britain pledges military aid to Sweden and Finland as they move closer to joining NATO against Putin’s wishes

The UK on Wednesday signed new security deals with Sweden and Finland aimed at strengthening the two countries’ defenses against Russia on their way to NATO membership.

The UK has pledged to defend either country if support is requested in the event of an attack. The agreements are mutual.

In a statement, the UK government said the deals with the two countries would “bolster their security and strengthen Northern Europe’s defenses in the face of renewed threats”.

“The declarations will mark a step in defense and security cooperation between the United Kingdom and each country, increase information sharing, accelerate joint military training, exercise and deployment, and strengthen security in all three countries and Northern Europe,” the statement said Explanation.

Both Finland and Sweden appear poised to join NATO in the near future due to growing concerns in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Such considerations come despite warnings from Moscow to seek membership in the alliance. Finland borders Russia while Sweden borders Finland.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that Stockholm’s potential entry into the defensive military alliance was “a matter for Sweden”, but added that the new pact meant Britain would help him if asked, by The guard.

“What we are emphatically saying is that in the event of a disaster or attack on Sweden, the UK would come to the aid of Sweden with whatever Sweden asks for,” Johnson said.

Similarly, Johnson said in Helsinki on Wednesday that the security agreement signed with Finland was not one short term stop gapbut a permanent insurance between the two nations. British Prime Minister said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine opened a new chapter in the post-Cold War era and changed the equation of European security. Johnson visited both Scandinavian countries on Wednesday.

Public and political support for NATO accession is at an all-time high in Sweden and Finland, catalyzed by Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. At ajoint press conference Speaking with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Stockholm last month, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said: “Everything changed when Russia invaded Ukraine.”

That BBC reported on Tuesday that the two countries could formally apply for membership in the next few days.

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