British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters in Europe, so the announcement of new security pacts with Sweden and Finland, both concerned about Moscow’s security threat, is based on Britain’s tough policy of resistance to Russia’s aggression. .
However, the agreements cross a new line, saying Britain could support both countries militarily if attacked by Russia, even if they are not members of NATO, the transatlantic military alliance.
Despite Moscow’s warnings not to do so, Sweden and Finland are considering applying to NATO, whose members are covered by its Article 5 mutual defense guarantee.
But Mr Johnson’s pact will provide support to Swedes and Finns during any NATO accession process when they could be particularly vulnerable to Russian retaliatory strikes or if they choose not to join the club.
Mr Johnson, who visited the two nations on Wednesday, was asked if the agreement could mean the deployment of British troops in Finland, which has an 800-mile border with Russia.
“In the event of a disaster or an attack on any of us then, yes, we will help each other, including with military assistance,” he said. The type of aid will depend on the request made, he added.
Sweden and Finland have offered mutual guarantees to Britain in return. “We will stand together and support each other in all circumstances in good and bad weather,” said Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, adding that his country’s decision to consider NATO membership was prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier in Stockholm, after posing for a photo in a rowing boat with his Swedish counterpart Magdalena Anderson, Mr Johnson said the agreement with Sweden “reinforces the values” valued by both sides.
He added: “As Magdalena said so well when we were at the lake: we are now literally and metaphorically in a boat.
I am pleased to welcome Prime Minister @BorisJohnson to Sweden. Important discussions on our broad bilateral relations and joint efforts to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. They agreed to strengthen 🇸🇪 🇬🇧 security and defense cooperation through a political declaration of solidarity. pic.twitter.com/ZUjF54jZsS
– SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) May 11, 2022
For Mr Johnson, who has established a close relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the initiative is a useful distraction from his political problems at home after he was fined by police for violating the Downing Street blockade. Asked on Wednesday if that could lead him to resign, Mr Johnson said he said he was more focused on the threat than Russia.
Wednesday’s move was also in line with Mr Johnson’s efforts to build a new post-Brexit British foreign policy role. Now outside the European Union and unable to influence its decisions, Britain is trying to make the most of its status, along with France, as one of the countries in Western Europe with the greatest desire and ability to deploy significant military muscle.
In February, Britain announced a tripartite security pact with Ukraine and Poland, and British ministers paid several visits to the Baltic states, which feel particularly vulnerable to Russian aggression.
Britain also plays a leading role in discussions not only in NATO, but also in a lesser-known diplomatic format called the Joint Expeditionary Force, which includes Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Some European Union diplomats believe Britain could try to use that influence to split the 27-nation bloc. For example, those Member States that receive military support or guarantees from Britain may be reluctant to take strong action against London in the event of an escalation of its post-Brexit dispute with the European Union over trade agreements for Northern Ireland.
But Downing Street, asked Wednesday if such ties could be negotiated with Sweden and Finland, said there were no security guarantees.
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