British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday that the U.K. reached deals with Sweden and Finland as they race to find new means of protection following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will hold a press conference on May 11, 2022. Frank Augstein is in the pool.
The U.K. will be able to collaborate with the two countries and their armed forces as a result of the declarations.
The U.K. will increase military deployment to the two countries so that the armed forces can face crisis or come under attack.
Johnson admitted during a press conference in Sweden that there is a separate conversation going on about Sweden's NATO membership.
The U.K. would come to the assistance of Sweden if it were attacked, according to Johnson.
The agreement with Sweden was signed by the prime minister during his trip to Harpsund.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has forced Sweden and Finland to rethink their military neutrality. Both countries held a joint press conference last month to announce that they are conducting security reviews, which could include applying for NATO membership. The country of Finns declared independence from Russia in 1917. Russia invaded and started a year-long war in 1939 that resulted in the ceding of a quarter of its territory to Russia. Sweden has pledged to avoid military alliances for more than 200 years, but a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea could be vulnerable if conflict broke out in the region.
The deals between the U.K., Finland and Sweden are similar to those between the U.S. and Germany. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last month that the two countries could expect some protection from the alliance during the interim period, after a deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council said Russia is prepared to send nuclear weapons to the Baltics.
The defense committee of the Finns recommended applying for membership in NATO last week, and President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on Thursday. Sweden could make their decision within days of the announcement from Finland, according to the Foreign Minister.
The prime minister's office said that the declarations will reinforce the security of the two countries.
The Defense Committee of NATO calls it the best option for security.
The Secretary-General of NATO says that NATO could provide arrangements for Sweden and Finland during the membership process.
The minister of the country that joined NATO Clarifies the timelines.
Here are the reasons why Finland and Sweden might join NATO.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
