Britain Vows to Send Troops to Finland or Sweden If Russia Invades

Strategic Insights -

Britain will come to the assistance of Finland or Sweden if they are attacked by Russia, Boris Johnson declared yesterday, as the two countries consider joining Nato. The Prime Minister signed historic security treaties with both nations on a whistle-stop tour, in which he warned the Kremlin that Russia's invasion of Ukraine marked the "end of the post-Cold War" and had "sadly opened a new chapter".

The accords, signed in Helsinki and Stockholm, include the UK increasing troop presence in both countries, stepping up intelligence sharing, and supporting joint cyber attack defences. In the event of an attack, Britain will come to the other's assistance, upon request, and will include military assistance if needed. The PM also claimed that Swedish-developed and British-built NLAWS had proven effective against Russian tanks in Ukraine.

The UK's commitment to supporting Finland and Sweden is a response to Russia's military build-up near their borders. Finland shares a lengthy land border with Russia, which is only about 250 miles from St Petersburg, while Russian warplanes have menaced Swedish airspace recently.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK will send troops to assist Finland or Sweden if they are attacked by Russia, upon the request of the attacked country.
  • Britain will increase troop presence in both countries and step up intelligence sharing.
  • The UK will support joint cyber attack defences and include military assistance in the event of an attack.
  • The PM warned the Kremlin that Russia's invasion of Ukraine marked the "end of the post-Cold War" and had "sadly opened a new chapter".
  • Finland and Sweden are considering joining Nato amid a "new chapter of the Cold War".
  • The UK's commitment to supporting Finland and Sweden is a response to Russia's military build-up near their borders.
  • Both Finland and Sweden have shared borders with Russia, with Finland sharing its longest land border with the country.

Statistics:

  • The distance from Finland to St Petersburg is approximately 250 miles.
  • Finland shares a lengthy land border with Russia.
  • The UK will increase troop presence in both Finland and Sweden.
  • The PM claimed that Swedish-developed and British-built NLAWS had proved effective against Russian tanks in Ukraine.

Sources:

  • The Sun (Harry Cole): "Britain would put boots on the ground if Vladimir Putin's Russia attempts to invade Finland or Sweden, Boris Johnson declared last night."
  • The Prime Minister's Office: "No10 replied by saying that democratically elected countries, such as Sweden or Finland, could decide their own fates."
  • The Finnish President's Office: President Sauli Niinisto's quote: "They are ready to attack their neighbouring country, so my response would be that, 'You caused this ? look at the mirror'."
  • The Swedish Prime Minister's Office: Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's quote: "I am very happy to sign the bilateral agreement."