Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Sweden, Judith Gough (Frank Augstein/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)One of the major objectives of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine was to have less Nato. He is likely to end up with more. Today, Boris Johnson is visiting Sweden and Finland to discuss the war, European security and the two countries’ desire to join the alliance.
Support for joining Nato has increased significantly in both following the Russian invasion, despite traditions of neutrality. Johnson’s visit follows on from previous meetings with Swedish and Finnish leaders and the words of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who used her Mansion House speech in April to call for the two countries to be admitted “as soon as possible”, should they apply for membership.
Further evidence that Putin has not only failed to subjugate Ukraine but has succeeded in strengthening Nato.
London 2036?
London 2012 was a legacy Olympics and Paralympics. Not necessarily on budget, but on time, and with no white elephants in sight, having transformed rundown parts of east London it delivered a nationwide feel-good factor.
So if the International Olympic Committee is looking for the greenest games yet, one where expensive new stadiums aren’t required, why not do it again here? That’s the view of Mayor Sadiq Khan as he continues his trip across the US, banging the drum for London. The facilities are there and the appetite too.
London 2036, anyone?
