Posted on11. May 2022, 15:19
Sweden and Great Britain want to support each other militarily in the event of an attack. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to reach a similar agreement with Finland.
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will sign a defense deal on Wednesday.
by REUTERS
In it, both countries promise to strengthen military relations and mutual support in the event of an attack.
AFP
The British also want to propose sending more troops to the region.
Getty Images
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Sweden and the United Kingdom signed a pact on military aid.
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Great Britain wants to sign a similar declaration with Finland.
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The Russian invasion of Ukraine sparked a lively debate in Finland and Sweden on possible NATO membership.
The United Kingdom has promised Sweden and Finland comprehensive security guarantees in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed a “political declaration of solidarity” on Wednesday during a visit to Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. In it, both countries promise to strengthen military relations and mutual support in the event of an attack. “If Sweden is attacked and asks us for support, we will give it to them,” said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson after signing the agreement at a joint press conference with his colleague Magdalena Andersson in Sweden on Wednesday.
Johnson later wants to sign a similar declaration with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, to which the prime minister would then go.
“Strengthening Military Relations”
The British also want to propose sending more troops to the region. “We are steadfast and unequivocal in our support for Sweden and Finland,” Johnson said. Security declarations are a symbol of eternal insurance between nations. “This is not a short-term makeshift, but a long-term commitment to strengthen military ties and global stability, and to strengthen Europe’s defense for generations to come,” Johnson said.
“In times of crisis, collaboration becomes even more important,” Andersson said at a joint press conference at her country estate in Harpsund, southwest of Stockholm. Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he might cause a division. However, he achieved exactly the opposite.
Britain had previously pledged to always help Sweden and Finland, even if they did not join NATO. The Russian invasion of Ukraine sparked a lively debate in both Nordic countries on possible NATO membership. Important announcements will be made in the coming days.
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(AFP / job)