UK strikes new security agreement with Sweden and Finland

HELSINKI, May 11 (Reuters) - 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 signed 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 it says is that in the event of a disaster, or in the event of an attack on either of us, then we will come to each other's assistance, including with military assistance," Johnson said at a press conference in Helsinki.

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Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced a rethink of how Sweden - and neighbour Finland - safeguard national security. read more

Both 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. read more

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson meet at the Swedish Prime Minister's summer residence in Harpsund, Sweden May 11, 2022. Christine Olsson/TT News Agency/via REUTERS

Asked if Finland would be provoking Russia by joining NATO, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be blame for any decision to the military alliance.

"My response would be that you caused this. Look at the mirror," Niinisto said.

Sweden has also received assurances of support from the U.S. and Germany. read more

Britain said the new arrangements would intensify intelligence sharing and accelerate joint military training, exercises and deployments.

Johnson said the nature of any assistance will "depend on the request of the other party". But he said NATO was a defensive alliance.

"NATO poses no threat to anyone. It is there for the purposes of mutual defence," he said at the press conference.

Reporting by William James, Anne Kauranen and Simon Johnson; Editing by Kylie MacLellan and Lisa Shumaker

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