Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain has been one of Ukraine’s most staunch supporters in Europe, so the announcement of new security pacts with Sweden and Finland, both concerned about a security threat from Moscow, builds on a tough British policy of opposing Russia-based aggression.
But the accords break a new line by saying Britain could provide military support to the two countries if they were attacked by Russia, even if they are not members of NATO, the transatlantic military alliance.
Despite warnings from Moscow not to do so, both Sweden and Finland are discussing turning to NATO, whose members are covered by their Article 5 mutual defense guarantee.
But Mr Johnson’s pact would support the Swedes and Finns in any process of joining NATO when they might be particularly vulnerable to Russian retaliation or when they chose not to join the club.
Mr Johnson, who visited the two nations on Wednesday, was asked if the deal could mean sending British troops to Finland, which shares an 800-mile border with Russia.
“In the event of a disaster or in the event of an attack on any of us, yes, we will come to each other’s aid, including with military assistance,” he said. The type of help would depend on the request made, he added.
Sweden and Finland have offered Britain mutual guarantees in return. “We will stand together and support each other no matter what the weather, good or bad,” said Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, adding that his country’s decision to consider NATO membership was prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had been.
Earlier in Stockholm, after posing for a photograph in a rowboat with his Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, Mr Johnson said the deal with Sweden “enshrines the values” both countries hold dear.
He added, “As you put it so beautifully, Magdalena, when we were out on the lake, we’re literally and metaphorically in the same boat now.”
Please PM me @BorisJohnson to Sweden. Important talks about our broad bilateral relationship and joint efforts to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. Agreed to strengthen 🇸🇪 🇬🇧 security and defense cooperation through a political declaration of solidarity. pic.twitter.com/ZUjF54jZsS
— Swedish PM (@SwedishPM) May 11, 2022
For Mr Johnson, who has developed a close relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the initiative is a helpful distraction from his political troubles at home after he was fined by police for breaching the Downing Street lockdown. Asked Wednesday if that could prompt him to resign, Mr Johnson rebuffed him, saying he was more focused on the Russian threat.
Wednesday’s move was also in line with Mr Johnson’s efforts to give Britain a new foreign policy role post-Brexit. Now outside the European Union and unable to influence its decisions, Britain is trying to make the most of its status alongside France as one of the nations in Western Europe most willing and able to deploy significant military forces.
In February, Britain announced a trilateral security pact with Ukraine and Poland, and British ministers have made several visits to Baltic states that feel particularly vulnerable to Russian aggression.
And Britain has played a leading role in discussions not only in NATO but also in a less prominent diplomatic format called the Joint Expeditionary Force and Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden includes.
Some European Union diplomats believe Britain may seek to use this influence to split the 27-nation bloc. For example, member countries receiving military support or guarantees from the UK may be reluctant to crack down on London should the dispute with the European Union escalate over post-Brexit trade deals for Northern Ireland.
But Downing Street, asked on Wednesday whether such links could be made in talks with Sweden and Finland, said there were no strings attached to its security guarantee.
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