Britain Offers Sweden, Finland Military Support
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent
HELSINKI/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Britain Offers Sweden, Finland Military Support
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent
HELSINKI/BUDAPEST (Worthy News)— Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed security declarations with Sweden and Finland after Russia warned the Nordic nations not to join the NATO military alliance.
Johnson said Wednesday’s accords would allow Britain, a prominent, nuclear-armed NATO member, “to cooperate with key Nordic partners and their armed forces, in all domains, including cyberspace.”
Sweden’s eastern neighbor Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) land border with Russia.
Wednesday’s agreements also cover closer collaboration on new technology and intelligence-gathering between Britain and Nordic countries.
In the Finnish capital Helsinki, Johnson offered to increase British military deployments to the region, such as the army, air force, navy assets, and personnel.
Wednesday’s agreements will “fortify northern Europe’s defenses, in the face of renewed threats,” Johnson said, adding that they are symbols “of the everlasting assurance between our nations.”
The arrangement followed Russia’s warning of “military and political repercussions” if Sweden and Finland decide to join NATO. Russia was due to increase its “military presence in this region if Sweden and, or, Finland applies,” noted Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
Despite Moscow’s threats, Sweden and Finland are pondering whether to abandon their historic neutrality and join NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Should they apply, as expected, there will be an interim period lasting from when an application has been handed in until all 30 NATO members’ parliaments ratify it.
The two Nordic countries are due to announce their positions on NATO membership in the coming days.