The USA, Germany and France have already promised military support to Finland during the NATO process – Britain previously promised the same

According to STT’s data, in addition to Britain, the United States, Germany and France have promised to support Finland militarily even before the official start of NATO membership, should the need arise.

These are not legally binding safeguards agreements, as they would require as long a legislative process in the guaranteeing countries as the admission of new NATO members.

In practice, however, NATO could not, even for its own credibility, welcome Finland and Sweden and at the same time leave them alone to cope with possible military pressure during the membership process.

British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace said on Wednesday that Britain would come to the aid of Finland and Sweden if attacked, whether the countries were members of the military alliance NATO or not.

Wallace commented on the issue at a joint news conference Antti Kaikkonen (center) with Niinisalo. According to Wallace, Finland and Britain defend common values, democracy and human rights, as well as the rule of law.

– It is impossible to think that Britain would not come to the aid of Finland and Sweden, regardless of the stage of the NATO process, they said.

The United States has promised Sweden so-called security insurance until Sweden’s possible application for NATO membership is ratified. The Swedish Foreign Minister spoke about the matter Ann Linde after meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State in Washington on Wednesday Antony Blinken as well as several U.S. senators.

The so-called security insurance is a different matter from the security guarantee mentioned in Article 5 of NATO. If Finland and Sweden may apply for NATO membership, ratification of membership from all 30 NATO countries will take an estimated 4–12 months. Only after ratification can applicants become members of NATO.

– I can say that I have spoken to Antony Blinken and to a number of senators who are responsible for these issues in the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The United States has a great interest in Sweden and Finland going to NATO. The Arctic and Baltic Sea region are believed to have much more weight in security policy and are therefore ready to provide different types of security insurance, Linde said. Swedish TV company SVT (switch to another service).

– Of course, I will not go into details, but I am very confident that we have an American commitment here. It is not a concrete security guarantee, as it can only be obtained by a NATO member, Linde continued.

Security insurance can mean help with cyber attacks as well as political and material support, says Aftonbladet.

Linde described the process of applying for NATO membership as very vulnerable. During this time, the United States could help raise security in Sweden.

– (In the United States), Finland’s and Sweden’s application for NATO is very much welcomed. Not least because it is seen as increasing security in the Arctic and the Baltic, Linde told the newspaper.

“But that’s not what I’ve encountered at all when I discussed the matter with the (U.S.) Secretary of State and responsible senators,” Linde said.

Linde continues her journey from the United States to Canada, where she will meet with the country’s Secretary of State Melanie Jolyn. He will also meet in Canada with the chairs of the country’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The topic of the trip will be the war in Ukraine and the security situation in the vicinity of Sweden.

“The transatlantic connection has never been more important than it is now,” Linde said.

Shortly after the meeting between Linde and Blinken, it was reported that Blinken had been diagnosed with a coronavirus infection.

STT / Eeva Nikkilä-Kiipula, Minna Pulli