BORIS Johnson will give press conferences on Europe’s Russian frontier today as he stares down Putin’s aggression with a new security pact.
The PM is doing a whistle-stop tour of Sweden and Finland to discuss their ambitions to stick two fingers up to Moscow by joining Nato.
Both Scandinavian countries have signalled they want membership of Western military alliance in case Mad Vlad launches fresh attacks.
Any application will enrage the murderous tyrant, who used Nato expansion as an unfounded justification for invading Ukraine.
A menacing Kremlin spokesman said Russia is “watching very closely anything that can affect Nato configuration near our borders”.
No10 shot back that “democratically elected countries” like Sweden can decide their own fate.
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Today the PM gave new “assurances” to both nations Britain would stand with them in the event they went to war.
Intelligence sharing and joint military operations will also “fortify” their security, No10 said.
Mr Johnson said: “We are steadfast and unequivocal in our support to both Sweden and Finland and the signing of these security declarations is a symbol of the everlasting assurance between our nations.
“These are not a short term stop gap, but a long term commitment to bolster military ties and global stability, and fortify Europe’s defences for generations to come.”
Mr Johnson’s spokesman also stressed that Nato is a defensive alliance – and that Putin’s “illegal invasion” has prompted the latest talks.
This morning the PM met his Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson and the two will hold a press conference this afternoon.
He will then hop across the border to Finland for talks with PM Sanna Marin.
Ahead of the visit Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We support countries’ democratic capability to decide on things like Nato membership.
“We understand the positions of Sweden and Finland and that is why the prime minister is going to discuss these broader security issues.”
