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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSweden 'to deepen defence cooperation with UK': PM in London
Sweden has agreed to "deepen defence cooperation with the UK", Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has said after her first bilateral meeting with her British counterpart, Boris Johnson.https://www.thelocal.se/20220316/sweden-to-deepen-defence-cooperation-with-uk-pm-in-london/
We have agreed to deepen the bilateral defence cooperation between Sweden and Great Britain. That is an important assurance, Andersson said after the meeting, according to a report in the Dagens Nyheter newspaper. This is something our defence and foreign ministers will now start to work on in more detail.
Andersson met Johnson during a gathering of leaders from the countries in the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). JEF brings together Sweden and Finland, which are both outside the Nato security alliance, with eight Nato countries in the Nordic, Baltic, and northern European regions.
The UKs defence minister, Ben Wallace, gave assurances at the start of this month that the UK would aid Sweden if it were attacked by Russia. But he gave few details of what form this aid would take, and, crucially, whether the UK would send troops, ships or fighter planes to help repel an attack. After the meeting in London, there was still no clarification on what sort of military aid the UK was promising.
We heard the UKs defence minister who last week was clear that the UK would show solidarity with Sweden in such a situation, Andersson told journalists after the meeting. The JEF meeting, in itself, sent an important signal about the high level of defence cooperation in the region, she argued.
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SergeStorms
(18,898 posts)are those the credit cards Boris accepts? Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Discover
I imagine the Russian oligarchs are living on credit right now.
DavidDvorkin
(19,406 posts)Most of them appear to be kids' drawing of sunflowers. I assume they're meant to show support for Ukraine.
SergeStorms
(18,898 posts)But the joke was there, they sort of looked like the windows of a restaurant or store and I jumped on it.
We all know Boris would never take credit cards from oligarchs. Cash only!
Torchlight
(3,236 posts)Though certainly not his intent, it's one of the most measurable positives to arise from the conflict so far.
Even more surprising (to me) is the unity of American opinion re: the support of Ukraine. I haven't seen this degree of rallying around a cause since the two weeks after 9-11. Outside of the right wing media & melodrama machine, I just haven't seen much real opposition to the Ukrainian positions and policies held by the administration.
EndlessWire
(6,377 posts)But, I'd stay away from the word, "Assurance." It means absolutely nothing, and is not binding. Better to become a full member, Sweden, before you need the munitions.
Oh, by the way, I myself am showing solidarity with Sweden, and offer my "assurances" that I will show up on the front line. Heheheh...
Celerity
(42,666 posts)organisations, including enhanced levels of cooperation with NATO.
I have posted on this in detail on multiple occasions.
I trust the Swedish government to do what is best for the nation, regardless of which path they choose.