A new UK security agreement with Sweden and Finland could involve Britain providing military assistance if either of the two Nordic countries is attacked, prime minister Boris Johnson has said.
The deal was sealed by the prime minister during a 24-hour visit to the two countries, where fears are growing that Russia’s war in Ukraine could spill over into aggression directed by Moscow at its neighbours across the Baltic Sea.
The visit comes days ahead of expected announcements from Stockholm and Helsinki on whether they will drop a decades-old policy of neutrality and apply to join the Nato defensive alliance.
Speaking alongside Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson after talks at her country retreat at Harpsund, Mr Johnson said that the new mutual security assurances signed with Sweden and Finland could involve the intensification of intelligence-sharing between the UK and the two countries, working together on defence procurement, and accelerating joint military training, exercises and deployments.
And he made clear that this could include deploying British military force if either of the countries came under attack.
“If Sweden were attacked and looked to us for help and support, then we would provide it. It would be up to Sweden to make the request, and spell out exactly what support is requested,” said Mr Johnson.
Asked if this could include committing UK troops and equipment to military action were the countries to face a Russian assault during the interim period before Nato membership was agreed, he replied: “What we are saying emphatically is in the event of an attack upon Sweden, then the UK would come to the assistance of Sweden with whatever Sweden requested.”
The agreement effectively means the UK providing Sweden and Finland with similar guarantees to the Article 5 guarantee, offered to all Nato member states, of mutual assistance if any of them come under attack.
The pact with Stockholm states: “Should either country suffer a disaster or attack, the United Kingdom and Sweden will, upon request from the affected country, assist each other in a variety of ways, which may include military means.”
It will raise concerns that the UK could come into direct military conflict with Russia if Vladimir Putin decided to unleash violence against Sweden or Finland.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said today that Russia was “closely watching” anything that might affect Nato’s configuration on its borders.
Mr Johnson has said the UK will support Sweden if it decides to apply for Nato membership. “I am sure the UK will support whatever course of action Sweden decides to embark upon,” he said.
Ms Andersson said that “of course” Sweden was safer as a result of today’s agreements, which followed similar discussions with allies including Germany and the US regarding her country’s position during the “grey period” between applying for Nato membership and joining the alliance.
“We are exploring all possible options, and Nato is one of them that is on the table,” she said. “We have had discussions with several countries how they see this ‘grey period’ until we are fully members.
“We have got reassurances from several countries. I am here with Boris Johnson today, I had a press conference with [German Chancellor] Olaf Scholz last week, I also had our foreign minister in Washington last week.”
