British Prime Minister, Boris Johnsonsaid on Wednesday that it reached new agreements with Sweden Y Finland to reinforce the european securitycommitting to support the armed forces of both countries in case they are attacked.
Johnson signed the new statements, described by United Kingdom as “a change in defense and security cooperation”, during his visits to Sweden Y Finland on Wednesday.
“What it says is that in the event of a catastrophe, or in the event of an attack on either of us, we will come to the aid of the other, including with military assistance,” Johnson told a news conference in Helsinki.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine it has forced a rethink of how Sweden – and neighboring Finland – safeguard national security.
Both are expected to enter the NATObut both worry about being vulnerable while their applications are being processed, which could take up to a year.
When asked if Finland was provoking Russia by joining NATO, the Finnish president, Sauli Niinistosaid his Russian peer, Vladimir Putinwould be to blame for any decision on the military alliance.
“My answer would be that you caused this. Look in the mirror,” Niinisto said.
Sweden has also received guarantees of support from USA Y Germany.
Britain said the new deals would step up intelligence sharing and speed up joint military training, exercises and deployments.
Johnson said the nature of any assistance “will depend on the request of the other party.” But he added that the NATO it is a defensive alliance.
“NATO is not a threat to anyone. It is there for mutual defense,” he said at the news conference.