London May 11 2022: The UK has agreed mutual security pacts with Sweden and Finland, agreeing to come to their aid should either nation come under attack, reported by BBC.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited both countries to sign the deals, amid debate about them joining Nato.
The pacts also state that Finland and Sweden would assist the UK in a crisis.
Mr Johnson and Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson said co-operation was “even more important” given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The second deal was announced in a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.
Mr Johnson said the “solemn declaration” between the UK and Finland was reflective of the “extreme difficulty of the times we are in”.
Mr Niinistö said the agreement to deepen Finland’s security was not a “zero sum game” against a particular nation, but rather a move to better protect itself.
Speaking earlier in Sweden Mr Johnson said: “If Sweden were attacked and looked to us for help and support, then we would provide it.”
Mr Johnson said the declaration being signed days after marking Victory in Europe Day was a “sad irony”, but was essential under the “grim circumstances” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Asked by the BBC to spell out exactly what the UK would do if Russia attacked Sweden, Mr Johnson said the deal meant that “upon request from the other party, we would come to the other party’s assistance”.
Ms Andersson argued her country would be safer as a result of the mutual assistance agreement with the UK, adding: “Of course this means something. This is important whatever policy choice we make in Sweden.”
She also explained the country was “exploring all possible options and Nato is one of them that is on the table”.
Ms Andersson said her government had sought the views of other countries about what support it could expect in the period between submitting an application to join Nato and formally becoming part of the alliance.
She added the country has already secured “reassurances” from several other nations, citing a recent press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and visit by Sweden’s foreign minister to the US last week.
