UK signs security deals with Sweden and Finland ahead of Nato membership decision

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is on visits to Stockholm and Helsinki, pledged to support both countries should they come under attack

Worried over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland are expected to announce their Nato membership intentions in the coming days

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Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson with her British counterpart Boris Johnson in Harpsund, Sweden, on Wednesday. Photo: TT news agency via Reuters

Published: 9:51pm, 11 May 2022Updated: 10:45pm, 11 May 2022

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said he had agreed new deals with Sweden and Finland to bolster European security, pledging to support both countries’ armed forces should they come under attack.

Johnson is due to sign the new declarations, described by Britain as “a step-change in defence and security cooperation”, during visits to both Sweden and Finland on Wednesday.

“What we are saying, emphatically, is that in the event of a disaster or the event of an attack upon Sweden, then the UK would come to the assistance of Sweden with whatever Sweden requested,” Johnson said after meeting Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced a rethink of how Sweden and neighbour Finland safeguard national security.

Stockholm and Helsinki are expected to join Nato, but both are worried they would be vulnerable while their applications are processed, which could take up to a year.

“In times of crisis, cooperation becomes even more important,” Andersson told reporters at a briefing with Johnson at the Swedish government’s country retreat south of Stockholm.