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Boris Johnson said the UK ‘will not hesitate’ to act after signing a historic security agreement with Sweden to defend against any threat from ‘21st century tyrant’ Vladimir Putin.
The Prime Minister said it was ‘a sad irony’ that the security assurance declaration was signed days after marking VE Day but was more important than ever under the ‘grim circumstances’ of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Johnson, deploying some of his strongest language yet to condemn the Russian president, said: ‘This week, many of us have been paying tribute to the brave men and women who secured victory and peace in Europe 77 years ago.
‘So, it’s a sad irony that we’ve been forced to discuss how best to fortify our shared defences against the empty conceit of a 21st century tyrant.’
Speaking alongside Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson at her Harpsund country retreat on Wednesday, he added: ‘The many carcasses of Russian tanks that now litter the fields and streets of Ukraine, thanks to Swedish-developed and British-built NLaws (anti-tank weapons), certainly speak to how effective that co-operation can be.’
He added: ‘Most importantly, this is an agreement that enshrines the values that both Sweden and the UK hold dear, and which we will not hesitate to defend.’
Ms Andersson said she was ‘very happy’ to sign the bilateral agreement.
Boris Johnson and Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson attend a joint press conference in Harpsund (Picture: AP)
Britain has signed a security assurance with Sweden which like its neighbor Finland is pondering whether to join Nato (Picture: AP)
Mr Johnson is due to visit to Finland later, where he is expected to formalise a similar agreement (Picture: AFP via Getty)
The two leaders sat together on a terrace outside the country manor to sign the declaration before walking side-by-side through the gardens of the estate and down to a jetty overlooking the lake.
Mr Johnson is due to visit to Finland later, where he is expected to formalise a similar agreement with the country’s president Sauli Niinisto during a whirlwind 24 hours.
He said the agreement meant the UK ‘would come to the other (country’s) assistance’ upon request in the event of a crisis, including increasing Royal Air Force, British Army and Royal Navy personnel and assets.
It comes as both European countries consider the prospect of Nato membership in the face of Putin’s ongoing military aggression.
Each is worried they would be vulnerable to Russian aggression while their applications are processed, which could take up to a year.
Sweden and Finland have also received assurances of support from the United States and Germany.
Ms Andersson said she was ‘very happy’ to sign the bilateral agreement (Picture: AP)
The declarations build on claims made earlier in the month that the UK would always aid Finland if it were attacked by Russia, regardless of whether the country was a member of Nato.
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Source:: Metro
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