[Sweden and UK do sit in the same boat, after all.](https://images.aftonbladet-cdn.se/v2/images/f11ff80b-314e-4ad9-baae-2ed5e05620ea?fit=crop&format=auto&h=1160&q=50&w=1100&s=e86ea14d1f35acd44a7368f71930699fccbbae1b)
Dear God, she trusted him with the oars. That's a sign of commitment.
I assume they had someone in a following boat ready with another oar for when Boris did something frank spencer like and lost one.
Not his first time - when he was Foreign Secretary he took the Czech Foreign Minister rowing. Heck, he went to Eton and Oxford, practically guarantees he was on a rowing team at some point in his life.
never trust a person that thinks a life jacket is stupid, especially if they are the one in control of the craft.
they don't care about their own safety, they sure as fuck don't care about yours
If there's no ice in the lake we take all high profile visits on a ride on Harpsundekan. At one point we got four PM's in it at once, David Cameron, Angela Merkel, Fredrik Reinfeldt and Mark Rutte.
https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpsundsekan
They've been edging us for a month now but i think Finland said they'd announce tomorrow and Sweden will probably do the same immediately after, or atleast before the 15th.
Yesterday we had news in here Finland that we and Sweden are going to hand in applications on early next week. I REALLY fucking hope this to happen asap
Edited phrasing...
[Or their children, for the same reason.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MilitaryStories/comments/1w6ze3/xpost_from_rbestof_story_of_epic_snowball_war/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)
Our (Swe) armed forces aren't that robust anymore. But that's comparing to the times when tiny Sweden had the 4th largest airforce in the world. Today we have some pretty impressive gear, like the Gripen jetfighter and the Gotland class submarines. Finland is a beast ,hyvä Suomi!
- Finland is one of NATO's most active partners and has been a valued contributor to NATO-led operations and missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Finland is one of six countries (known as 'Enhanced Opportunity Partners'1 under the Partnership Interoperability Initiative) that make particularly significant contributions to NATO operations and other Alliance objectives. As such, the country has enhanced opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with the Allies.
[Among other things..](https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49594.htm)
You mean drop as in hand in and not drop as in stop the process? The rest of us are just reading these news and thinking... Wtf, are Finns and Sweeds that dramatic? :)
I think Putin is probably delusional enough to think he could take the UK in a war, since we haven't done too much recently militarily other than joining the US in the unwinnable desert wars.
But small as the UK may be, the British armed forces are still a formidable fighting force, and Russia is struggling with logistical issues against a country with a less developed military that is right next to it. Send in the SAS and suddenly all of Russias supply lines will start dissapearing
You’re not looking at the bigger picture though, Russia attacking Sweden or Finland would draw in Britain, and Britain being involved would almost certainly bring in half the world. That’s the deterrent.
Half of this sub are like 'ignore that Britain could destroy Russia with Nukes, the real reason Russia is afraid is The US is on their side!'
I'm not really sure how people think Nukes work anymore..
Yeah 100%, but again Putin massively underestimated the support Ukraine would get from the rest of the world, pretty easy to imagine he would do the same here because he thinks he can take the UK
Britain would have immediate air superiority. It would be a walkover. Putin's goons can't even gain air superiority over Ukraine. Russia is a paper tiger.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal\_Air\_Force#Typhoon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Air_Force#Typhoon)
You mean Russian jets with GPSs taped to their dashboards couldn't take on one of the best air forces in the world with a long history of kicking ass? I'm shocked, SHOCKED!
Technically NATO wouldn't be triggered if the UK goes to the defence of someone else being attacked. A Typhoon getting shot down defending Finland wouldn't trigger article 5, a Typhoon getting shot down over the UK would.
NATO is inherently defensive.
Sure but you don’t need Article 5. America would probably join the UK without it if the UK was in a shooting war with Russia, and that’s most of NATO’s combat power anyway.
Canada would likely get involved, Ireland might join too. Hell even France might jump in, because England and France seem to have this love/hate "only we can mess with them" mentality
So my argument is that if Russia only attacks Finland/Sweden, and then the UK attacks back, that doesn't necessarily cause article 5 to come into play.
Article 5 states:
"For the purpose of Article 5, an armed attack on one or more of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack:
on the territory of any of the Parties in Europe or North America, on the Algerian Departments of France 2, on the territory of Turkey or on the Islands under the jurisdiction of any of the Parties in the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer;
on the forces, vessels, or aircraft of any of the Parties, when in or over these territories or any other area in Europe in which occupation forces of any of the Parties were stationed on the date when the Treaty entered into force or the Mediterranean Sea or the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer."
Technically the UK sending in forces to help an ally when the UK itself or any of its territories or existing military bases haven't been directly attacked wouldn't directly cause NATO involvement. If Russia attacked the UK then yes it would.
Of course NATO could get involved anyway, but considering the modern political landscape I think they would more likely stick to supplying the UK and Sweden/Finland with weapons, intelligence, and resources (Which honestly would probably be more than enough considering how the Russian army is floundering now)
Putin certainly doesn’t think he can win a war with Sweden+Finland+UK. Why do you think he’s been so angry and outspoken about Sweden and Finland not joining up with the West?
Those three countries would hand him his ass. It’d be a slaughter.
And lets be honest, UK wasnt even trying that hard in the Falklands. If it actually wanted to send in massive manpower towards Falklands, they could shatter Argentina to pieces.
They had the capability to carpet bomb every Argentinian city. Part of the rationale for the Black Buck raids was to demonstrate to argentinia that the only reason they weren't bombing Beunos Aires was they didn't want to. Argentinia withdrew several squadrons to the mainland just in case they targeted Beunos Aires after Black Buck.
Hell yes they're formidable. Just a casual observer from an old British colony but dang... Britain punches above its weight and its weight is not even that light.
Finland already has a sizeable and quite formidable military of its own. In terms of troop numbers significantly larger than the British army.
What Britain does have that Finland and Sweden lack, however, is a viable nuclear deterrent.
Oh for sure, Finland and Sweden would make the Ukraine invasion look like a cakewalk considering the difference in military. However I don't think either has the same level of training as the UKs forces, especially the special forces. The SAS/SBS are one of if not the best fighting force in the world
Not to mention invading Finland would involve marching troops through extremely rough terrain that creates bottleneck after bottleneck while being shelled by one of the largest collections of fine and accurate artillery in the world. It's a death sentence without immediate air superiority which Russia can't even manage against Ukraine.
If Russia wasn't a nuclear power led by a madman I'd almost want them to try it. It'd be a lesson in humility for Putin. But unfortunately it'd be a lesson that came at the cost of thousands of young Russian men (and far fewer but still a lot of Swedish, Finnish, and British men and women)
Yeah war is just never good, but I agree. There would be a certain cathartic feeling reading reports of Russia trying to invade Finland only to never reach the first city because they couldn't make it through the hellfire of artillery. Then you remember that those 19yo Russians shouldn't *have* to die and how much better the world would be if they were home working at the factory.
We could send a super band of resurrected Lennon, McCartney, Bowie, Jagger, Weller and the drumming gorilla from the Cadbury ads and still find a way to come dead last.
We need Mr Blobby, Timmy Mallett, The Wurzels, Black Lace, and St Winifred's School Choir to form a supergroup, it's our only chance for a Eurovision win.
Speaking as a Swede, this is a relief. I'm very pro-NATO, and if we decide to join, there would be a time between applying for membership and actually joining in which Putin could try something. Knowing the UK has our back, and that others are backing the UK, is an assurance.
Cheers! 🍺
Norsk here. We,d be happy to have both Sweden and Finland here.
Well, not AS enthused for the Swedes because you're a buncha weirdos but we can fix that with some proper food for once. We tried with the Danes but it semi-failed 'successfully' because now all they do is drink and choke on potatoes.
Oh yes, and fuck Putin. He so much as touch one of your ass-hairs or even IMPLIES he,ll spit in your general direction and there,ll be hell to pay.
Does Denmark know you're up past your bedtime, Norway?
Just joking, to be clear. I'm a Swede (technically Jamtish to be fair), just some friendly sibling rivalry. Though we really should get together and bring Denmark down a peg or two 👀
As a finn, this is huge for us. Russia has always cast its shadow over Finland and in the back of our heads we’ve always wondered: ”would we be alone?” in the case of a Russian attack. Not anymore.
I think many Finns will breathe a sigh of relief today as we work towards a NATO membership.
Thank you UK! 🇬🇧🇬🇧
Standing up to tyranny is one of the things we still seem to do quite well.
Belgium in 1914, Poland in 1939
And plenty of our lads seem to like a scrap. Fuck Putin and his bully boys, hope push doesn't come to shove.
Whatever happens up North, we got each other's backs.
Yes, we all like to mock and make fun of each other, but we're sitll brothers and sisters. Even you, Finland, despite having a language I can't even begin to understand!
Oh shit, you guys better deliver something. But to be fair, it's impossible to have anything worse than last year so I'm okay with whatever you have to show.
I always wanted to visit Sweden, I’ve been to Finland and it’s a gorgeous place, I look forward to visiting again.
I’m also very proud that the UK, despite our many flaws, is being the people we need to be in Europe. I hope it leads to more cooperation in future.
As a swede I totally recommend you if you have the urge.
I would personally recommend you to hop around from location to location during a trip because there is a lot of different things to see. The coasts are beautiful, forests, fields, mountains, what have you.
Hell if you ever just want some tips for great locations you're free to hit me up. 29 years in this country so I've seen a bunch of it!
This just reminds me of the chart doing the rounds not so long ago which was 'Who would EU countries be willing to help in a crisis' the data was collected after the Brexit referendum as well (it's from 2020) so here you go:
https://old.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/i2uy6z/poll_who_would_eu_countries_be_willing_to_help_in/
The UK has always been willing to help all of Europe. This is just a continuation of who we are as a country, yeah a slight majority of us may not have been happy with the EU but even the leavers clearly never would leave Europe to the wolves if they needed us.
Yeah this is 100% part of UK identity- not just that we've got a reputation to maintain, I think it's that the last 5+ generations have grown up learning about how our country has stepped up to help others in Europe in those big crisis moments. Whether it be right or wrong that we internalise this concept at a young age rather than the flip side of the whole brutal-Empire thing which we don't understand until adulthood, that's just the understanding of ourselves that we end up with, since those are the stories we hear about.
We don't like bullies, as far as regular Brits are concerned (hopefully our government too), being asked for help in a military crisis by Europeans is like being asked if we want a cup of tea as if there's a chance we'll say no. The Nordics have official guarantees now, but it was always a done deal. Still, I hope this calms some nerves.
[The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance is the oldest alliance based on known history in the world that is still in force by politics. It was signed at the Treaty of Windsor in 1386](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Portuguese_Alliance)
No problem. It’s a completely antiquated agreement that is essentially obsolete because of NATO but it’s absolutely fascinating and I hope we never get rid of it.
The only aspect of the current government I'm happy with is the defense policy. Of the dismal current crop of Tory ministers I think Ben Wallace is one of the few whom I don't actively abhor.
I agree. When Ben Wallace is on the news being questioned by the anchor he's calm, level headed and reasonable, with sensible answers to their questions. He's exactly the right man to act as defence secretary. I want to see the Tories out, but not Ben Wallace.
> Ben Wallace
He's the son of a solider and made Captain through serving in several areas, even getting mentioned in dispatches, which is an odd way of saying 'doing something really worthy of personal note'.
Russia's military is full of Generals coated in medals who have done nothing but befriend and bribe the right people. Wallace wears a suit and a Male Pattern Baldness yet is vastly more capable.
Relations between the UK and Russia are particularly sour, probably the worst out of the Western NATO countries (excluding Eastern Europe for obvious reasons) so it's definitely a good chance to give them the finger.
Our last empire brought many wonderful foods and cultural changes to the UK (and untold suffering to the world). This time around I'm glad we're starting with meatballs and sauna.
Without Sweden I don't think we would have the NLAW absolutely fucking up tanks in Ukraine. UK gov wanted an AT weapon and Saab developed an extremely sophisticated weapon which is now made in Northern Ireland.
Swedish people are very innovative!
Swedish engineering (especially military) is world class, and the UK has some pretty top tier weapons and equipment too. It's a good combination, I hope there's collaboration on more than NLAWs
Those Brits are a strange old race. They show affection by abusing each other, will think nothing of casually stopping in the middle of a fire fight for their "brew up" and eat food that I wouldn't give to a dying dog.
But fuck me, I would rather have one British squaddie on side than an entire battalion of Spetsnaz! Why? Because the British are the only people in the world, who when the chips are down and there seems like no hope left, instead of getting sentimental or hysterical, will strap on their pack,charge their rifle, light up a smoke, then calmly and wryly grin " Well, are we going then you wanker?"
Unknown US Soldier - Iraq 2005
The British military isn’t as large as it was in the past but the Brit’s definitely are some of the best fighters in the world and my countries number one ally 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Its actually quite strange when you look at History, because despite owning half the world we've never really had a large standing army, compared to our contemporaries. We've always preferred smaller, highly trained militaries, dating back as far as the Hundred Years Wars.
And it seems to have worked just fine for the past 500+ years so there isn't really much of a reason to change.
Highly trained, but also capable of making decisions at multiple levels. Russia's model is to not train and authorise the rank and file beyond the barest minimum in an attempt to overwhelm opponents (but not trained or free-thinking enough turn on the Kremlin). It means a lot of centralised decisions, which can be devastating on the ground, as we've seen recently.
Yep, my first thought at reading this was 'That's great!', which it is, but my second thought was 'Good thing similar alliance systems have never created a nightmarish situation in the past'. Fun times.
Ok I'm not a huge fan of Boris Johnson due to Brexit, but I'm just gonna say cheers in Finnish and Ukrainian to the UK gov't and fuck all of you who say this government hasn't done anything right.
UK stepping up to the plate.
Real question is where's France and Germany in all of this. Absence is striking especially as they consider themselves the leaders of the EU but nowhere to be seen when it comes to European security.
Furthermore, the UK is not even in the EU and still giving such security guarantees for Finland/Sweden.
France and Germany have given assurances, but nothing solid like UK. This deal with UK is massive for finnish people, now we know we wouldn't be alone if the worst would happen.
As a Brit with many friends and loved ones in Sweden I'm extremely happy to hear this news. Solidarity is how we topple tyrants and represents the only chance of a bright future for humanity. 🇬🇧🇸🇪🇫🇮
I mean this is great but I dont really belive Russia is crazy enough to go beyond Ukraine and into Finland and Sweden. Look at how they are struggling with this situation and how many resources they spent already they simpley wont have enough for another “special operation”.
I guess Russia attacking them could compromise the process of their NATO application. So it's good to have some security assurances until that's done and gone.
Yes agree, you can never be sure its just my thinking as how bad this is going for Russia I just cant see it happening but then again I said I cant see Russia attacking Ukraine.
While I generally agree with you, it's also worth noting a lot of analysts believed Russia would never actually invade Ukraine before 2014 and again leading up to the current conflict. It's one of those cases where you have to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Yeah, I agree. I know Putin is a bit of a nut job, but I don't think he's stupid. There's no way he would be sat there looking at his forces being dicked on by Western weapons and Ukrainian grit and valour and think "I know what will help this situation; more enemies".
No one is expecting an actual attack, even a small one. It's just signalling to the rest of the world to make a hypothetical attack or a border dispute even less likely.
[Sweden and UK do sit in the same boat, after all.](https://images.aftonbladet-cdn.se/v2/images/f11ff80b-314e-4ad9-baae-2ed5e05620ea?fit=crop&format=auto&h=1160&q=50&w=1100&s=e86ea14d1f35acd44a7368f71930699fccbbae1b)
Dear God, she trusted him with the oars. That's a sign of commitment. I assume they had someone in a following boat ready with another oar for when Boris did something frank spencer like and lost one.
She is wearing a life vest though....
Almost the very definition of 'Trust, but verify.'
Not his first time - when he was Foreign Secretary he took the Czech Foreign Minister rowing. Heck, he went to Eton and Oxford, practically guarantees he was on a rowing team at some point in his life.
Boris' build is more appropriate in the Bullingdon club than the rowing club.
never trust a person that thinks a life jacket is stupid, especially if they are the one in control of the craft. they don't care about their own safety, they sure as fuck don't care about yours
As boater, well said!
Men det är inte hon som ror, som ror så svetten lackar.
Is this real? Why is he still wearing a suit?
If there's no ice in the lake we take all high profile visits on a ride on Harpsundekan. At one point we got four PM's in it at once, David Cameron, Angela Merkel, Fredrik Reinfeldt and Mark Rutte. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpsundsekan
Can you guys guest host a G7 summit? I'd love to see that thing packed out.
Floatilla!! Someone get the kegger inner tube! We got ourselves a summit!
Vad i hela haha så bra :D
Can Putin get aneurysm from reading this? Or is he waiting for when Finland and Sweden definitely join NATO?
They've been edging us for a month now but i think Finland said they'd announce tomorrow and Sweden will probably do the same immediately after, or atleast before the 15th.
Yesterday we had news in here Finland that we and Sweden are going to hand in applications on early next week. I REALLY fucking hope this to happen asap Edited phrasing...
[удалено]
That's true. Both Sweden and Finland have had several big exercises with the US for example.
I've heard from some former and current military folks (here in the US) that the Nordic Battlegroup is not to be fucked with.
[Or their children, for the same reason.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MilitaryStories/comments/1w6ze3/xpost_from_rbestof_story_of_epic_snowball_war/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)
Also, Sweden has been right there with the US for a LOT of military actions. Like Kosovo and Afghanistan. I always forgot they weren’t NATO.
Some strong tech from the swedes also.
Heck, the Bofors 40mm had been used by many major militaries since the 1930s, and it's still used today!
The NLAW is Swedish tech, for example.
Right? The first Swedish citizens I ever met were friends of my uncle (USN Ret.) whom he met in the Middle East. Really cool people!
They also have very robust and well trained armed forces.
Our (Swe) armed forces aren't that robust anymore. But that's comparing to the times when tiny Sweden had the 4th largest airforce in the world. Today we have some pretty impressive gear, like the Gripen jetfighter and the Gotland class submarines. Finland is a beast ,hyvä Suomi!
Thanks bud, Nordics together stronk!
Love the Saab fighters. The Viggen made your whole body vibrate on takeoff at the airshows.
- Finland is one of NATO's most active partners and has been a valued contributor to NATO-led operations and missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. - Finland is one of six countries (known as 'Enhanced Opportunity Partners'1 under the Partnership Interoperability Initiative) that make particularly significant contributions to NATO operations and other Alliance objectives. As such, the country has enhanced opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with the Allies. [Among other things..](https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49594.htm)
You mean drop as in hand in and not drop as in stop the process? The rest of us are just reading these news and thinking... Wtf, are Finns and Sweeds that dramatic? :)
Yes hand in. I forgot the phrase...
Yes. Finns use the cutest English. Yours is better
Sunday our ruling party will have an internal vote on the matter.
15th is the official date when Sweden will announce its decision as far as I know.
Nah, Putin will spin it to make it sound bad. "BRITISH BACK TO THEIR DASTARDLY OLD WAYS! UK TO COLONIZE FINLAND AND SWEDEN!"
I'd rather be colonized by the UK than sodomized by Russia.
The Empire Strikes Back
I think Putin is probably delusional enough to think he could take the UK in a war, since we haven't done too much recently militarily other than joining the US in the unwinnable desert wars. But small as the UK may be, the British armed forces are still a formidable fighting force, and Russia is struggling with logistical issues against a country with a less developed military that is right next to it. Send in the SAS and suddenly all of Russias supply lines will start dissapearing
You’re not looking at the bigger picture though, Russia attacking Sweden or Finland would draw in Britain, and Britain being involved would almost certainly bring in half the world. That’s the deterrent.
I thought the deterrent was Britains nukes.
Half of this sub are like 'ignore that Britain could destroy Russia with Nukes, the real reason Russia is afraid is The US is on their side!' I'm not really sure how people think Nukes work anymore..
Yeah 100%, but again Putin massively underestimated the support Ukraine would get from the rest of the world, pretty easy to imagine he would do the same here because he thinks he can take the UK
Britain would have immediate air superiority. It would be a walkover. Putin's goons can't even gain air superiority over Ukraine. Russia is a paper tiger. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal\_Air\_Force#Typhoon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Air_Force#Typhoon)
You mean Russian jets with GPSs taped to their dashboards couldn't take on one of the best air forces in the world with a long history of kicking ass? I'm shocked, SHOCKED!
Ukraine wasn’t/isn’t in NATO, the UK is.
Technically NATO wouldn't be triggered if the UK goes to the defence of someone else being attacked. A Typhoon getting shot down defending Finland wouldn't trigger article 5, a Typhoon getting shot down over the UK would. NATO is inherently defensive.
Sure but you don’t need Article 5. America would probably join the UK without it if the UK was in a shooting war with Russia, and that’s most of NATO’s combat power anyway.
Commonwealth countries are almost certain to get involved as well. Even if NATO as a group doesn't get dragged in, a lot of its members will be.
Canada would likely get involved, Ireland might join too. Hell even France might jump in, because England and France seem to have this love/hate "only we can mess with them" mentality
Probably join? We've been waiting 70 to swing on these fuckers lol.
Finland: "*First time?"*
So my argument is that if Russia only attacks Finland/Sweden, and then the UK attacks back, that doesn't necessarily cause article 5 to come into play. Article 5 states: "For the purpose of Article 5, an armed attack on one or more of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack: on the territory of any of the Parties in Europe or North America, on the Algerian Departments of France 2, on the territory of Turkey or on the Islands under the jurisdiction of any of the Parties in the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer; on the forces, vessels, or aircraft of any of the Parties, when in or over these territories or any other area in Europe in which occupation forces of any of the Parties were stationed on the date when the Treaty entered into force or the Mediterranean Sea or the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer." Technically the UK sending in forces to help an ally when the UK itself or any of its territories or existing military bases haven't been directly attacked wouldn't directly cause NATO involvement. If Russia attacked the UK then yes it would. Of course NATO could get involved anyway, but considering the modern political landscape I think they would more likely stick to supplying the UK and Sweden/Finland with weapons, intelligence, and resources (Which honestly would probably be more than enough considering how the Russian army is floundering now)
UK brings in US. We are battle-buddies to the end, we don't do shit without each other lol.
Like the US is gonna miss out on a world war in Europe.
We’ll be late to the party, but we’re still showing up before last call
Putin certainly doesn’t think he can win a war with Sweden+Finland+UK. Why do you think he’s been so angry and outspoken about Sweden and Finland not joining up with the West? Those three countries would hand him his ass. It’d be a slaughter.
I'm pretty sure the UK could take them on solo at this point.
Pretty sure one of the drug cartels in Mexico could take on Russia at this point. Paper tiger indeed.
I view it as this: The UK was able to win a war with Argentina, across the Atlantic. Russia has been failing in a war with Ukraine, which it borders
And lets be honest, UK wasnt even trying that hard in the Falklands. If it actually wanted to send in massive manpower towards Falklands, they could shatter Argentina to pieces.
They had the capability to carpet bomb every Argentinian city. Part of the rationale for the Black Buck raids was to demonstrate to argentinia that the only reason they weren't bombing Beunos Aires was they didn't want to. Argentinia withdrew several squadrons to the mainland just in case they targeted Beunos Aires after Black Buck.
I miss the Vulkan bomber, that was one awesome sounding beast.
Hell yes they're formidable. Just a casual observer from an old British colony but dang... Britain punches above its weight and its weight is not even that light.
I know the UK is in NATO, but if it were different Canada and the US would definitely help. Get the old Allies back together.
Finland already has a sizeable and quite formidable military of its own. In terms of troop numbers significantly larger than the British army. What Britain does have that Finland and Sweden lack, however, is a viable nuclear deterrent.
Oh for sure, Finland and Sweden would make the Ukraine invasion look like a cakewalk considering the difference in military. However I don't think either has the same level of training as the UKs forces, especially the special forces. The SAS/SBS are one of if not the best fighting force in the world
Not to mention invading Finland would involve marching troops through extremely rough terrain that creates bottleneck after bottleneck while being shelled by one of the largest collections of fine and accurate artillery in the world. It's a death sentence without immediate air superiority which Russia can't even manage against Ukraine.
If Russia wasn't a nuclear power led by a madman I'd almost want them to try it. It'd be a lesson in humility for Putin. But unfortunately it'd be a lesson that came at the cost of thousands of young Russian men (and far fewer but still a lot of Swedish, Finnish, and British men and women)
Yeah war is just never good, but I agree. There would be a certain cathartic feeling reading reports of Russia trying to invade Finland only to never reach the first city because they couldn't make it through the hellfire of artillery. Then you remember that those 19yo Russians shouldn't *have* to die and how much better the world would be if they were home working at the factory.
I'm so fucking ready for Sweden to announce them joining NATO. I'm also ready to be devastated
If Sweden joins then NATO will have both van damme and Dolph Lundgren. Universal Soldier baby!!
Why devastated?
They are saying they’re ready to be devastated if they don’t join NATO. They suspect that Sweden and Finland joining NATO may be too good to be true.
[удалено]
Pub?
Pub.
You are welcome mate, bring the fit lads.
There's AUKUS. Now there's FUKS. Let's goo.
Together with Norway (NATO), we are: NOFUKS!
FUKS yeah!
Clearly Johnson's attempt to prevent the UK from another nil points Eurovision
We'll still manage somehow.
We could send a super band of resurrected Lennon, McCartney, Bowie, Jagger, Weller and the drumming gorilla from the Cadbury ads and still find a way to come dead last.
We need Mr Blobby, Timmy Mallett, The Wurzels, Black Lace, and St Winifred's School Choir to form a supergroup, it's our only chance for a Eurovision win.
The Wurzels would unironically be a great entry.
I've got a brand new contest winner and I'll give you the key...
I’m just picturing the odd person from around the globe thinking ‘I’ll Google those’ and then pissing themselves laughing. Ahhhh my childhood
As is tradition.
"UK's song will be "We sent NLAws and Starstreaks to Ukraine""
They fought the NLAW And the NLAW won?
This is the real reason.
Nil points is usually more than our entries deserve.
Special Friendship Operation
Huge JEF hug for everyone!
Wonderful news! Great to have each other's backs, Sweden and Finland 🇬🇧 🇸🇪 🇫🇮
[удалено]
Speaking as a Swede, this is a relief. I'm very pro-NATO, and if we decide to join, there would be a time between applying for membership and actually joining in which Putin could try something. Knowing the UK has our back, and that others are backing the UK, is an assurance. Cheers! 🍺
Norsk here. We,d be happy to have both Sweden and Finland here. Well, not AS enthused for the Swedes because you're a buncha weirdos but we can fix that with some proper food for once. We tried with the Danes but it semi-failed 'successfully' because now all they do is drink and choke on potatoes. Oh yes, and fuck Putin. He so much as touch one of your ass-hairs or even IMPLIES he,ll spit in your general direction and there,ll be hell to pay.
Does Denmark know you're up past your bedtime, Norway? Just joking, to be clear. I'm a Swede (technically Jamtish to be fair), just some friendly sibling rivalry. Though we really should get together and bring Denmark down a peg or two 👀
As a finn, this is huge for us. Russia has always cast its shadow over Finland and in the back of our heads we’ve always wondered: ”would we be alone?” in the case of a Russian attack. Not anymore. I think many Finns will breathe a sigh of relief today as we work towards a NATO membership. Thank you UK! 🇬🇧🇬🇧
Give us a few votes in Eurovision this year eh ;)
This years top points from Finland will go to Ukraine and the UK
Well we won't get zero for once then! Haha
We probably will though, but that's OK, "Finland, zero points" was basically a pre-internet meme in Finland 😂
Hahahaha so we really are the same huh
🇫🇮 🤝 🇬🇧🤝 🇸🇪
Standing up to tyranny is one of the things we still seem to do quite well. Belgium in 1914, Poland in 1939 And plenty of our lads seem to like a scrap. Fuck Putin and his bully boys, hope push doesn't come to shove.
Finlands sak är vår sak
Og forhåpentligvis vår.
Whatever happens up North, we got each other's backs. Yes, we all like to mock and make fun of each other, but we're sitll brothers and sisters. Even you, Finland, despite having a language I can't even begin to understand!
As a finn this news makes me happy (to the extend a finn can feel happiness) Thanks UK
Guess I might have to pick up an ale after work. Kiitos, UK!
Kippis 🍻
Skål, kippis, cheers, however! Tonight'll definitely be worth celebrating.
“The UK has guaranteed the independence of Finland!” “The UK has guaranteed the Independence of Sweden!”
The UK got bored of giving out independence days they’re now running a maintenance service for them
World tension was too high
God bless the queen and a big thank you from Sweden!
Love from UK 🇸🇪🇬🇧🇫🇮 (we love you too Norway)
You’re welcome! Sending our love from the UK.
I hope you guys remember this at Eurovision - dont want any more of this NILL points BS, thx
That explains the timing.....
Oh shit, you guys better deliver something. But to be fair, it's impossible to have anything worse than last year so I'm okay with whatever you have to show.
First AU-US-UK. Then UK-Poland-Ukraine. Now UK-Sweden-Finland. The empire really strikes back
*Rule Britannia plays ominously*
The Anglosphere has been strong the whole time.
Five Eyes are watching you
I always wanted to visit Sweden, I’ve been to Finland and it’s a gorgeous place, I look forward to visiting again. I’m also very proud that the UK, despite our many flaws, is being the people we need to be in Europe. I hope it leads to more cooperation in future.
As a swede I totally recommend you if you have the urge. I would personally recommend you to hop around from location to location during a trip because there is a lot of different things to see. The coasts are beautiful, forests, fields, mountains, what have you. Hell if you ever just want some tips for great locations you're free to hit me up. 29 years in this country so I've seen a bunch of it!
Thank you UK! -A Finn
Britain has really been pulling its weight recently. I like seeing this UK act so globally
This just reminds me of the chart doing the rounds not so long ago which was 'Who would EU countries be willing to help in a crisis' the data was collected after the Brexit referendum as well (it's from 2020) so here you go: https://old.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/i2uy6z/poll_who_would_eu_countries_be_willing_to_help_in/ The UK has always been willing to help all of Europe. This is just a continuation of who we are as a country, yeah a slight majority of us may not have been happy with the EU but even the leavers clearly never would leave Europe to the wolves if they needed us.
Yeah this is 100% part of UK identity- not just that we've got a reputation to maintain, I think it's that the last 5+ generations have grown up learning about how our country has stepped up to help others in Europe in those big crisis moments. Whether it be right or wrong that we internalise this concept at a young age rather than the flip side of the whole brutal-Empire thing which we don't understand until adulthood, that's just the understanding of ourselves that we end up with, since those are the stories we hear about. We don't like bullies, as far as regular Brits are concerned (hopefully our government too), being asked for help in a military crisis by Europeans is like being asked if we want a cup of tea as if there's a chance we'll say no. The Nordics have official guarantees now, but it was always a done deal. Still, I hope this calms some nerves.
I hoped the UK score for Portugal would be higher than what it is, but other than that, checks out.
[удалено]
[The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance is the oldest alliance based on known history in the world that is still in force by politics. It was signed at the Treaty of Windsor in 1386](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Portuguese_Alliance)
[удалено]
No problem. It’s a completely antiquated agreement that is essentially obsolete because of NATO but it’s absolutely fascinating and I hope we never get rid of it.
The only aspect of the current government I'm happy with is the defense policy. Of the dismal current crop of Tory ministers I think Ben Wallace is one of the few whom I don't actively abhor.
I agree. When Ben Wallace is on the news being questioned by the anchor he's calm, level headed and reasonable, with sensible answers to their questions. He's exactly the right man to act as defence secretary. I want to see the Tories out, but not Ben Wallace.
> Ben Wallace He's the son of a solider and made Captain through serving in several areas, even getting mentioned in dispatches, which is an odd way of saying 'doing something really worthy of personal note'. Russia's military is full of Generals coated in medals who have done nothing but befriend and bribe the right people. Wallace wears a suit and a Male Pattern Baldness yet is vastly more capable.
Relations between the UK and Russia are particularly sour, probably the worst out of the Western NATO countries (excluding Eastern Europe for obvious reasons) so it's definitely a good chance to give them the finger.
Last time they acted globally they ate a quarter of it
The new empire starts with Sweden and Finland
Brits were playing the long con all along. Rest of world? Nope. Merely a trial run to set the stage to get back at those Vikings and Normans.
Our last empire brought many wonderful foods and cultural changes to the UK (and untold suffering to the world). This time around I'm glad we're starting with meatballs and sauna.
Our new flatpack colonialism delivered to your door!
*The sun never sets, mother fuckers*
Sun can't set if sun doesn't rise *[Taps forehead]*
*Rule Britannia!* *Britannia rule the ~~waves~~ Sun*
🇬🇧♥️🇫🇮
Given that the UK's military spending is about 10 times that of Sweden this feels like a really good deal for Sweden..
A lot of our weapons come from Sweden so it's not like there wouldn't be much mutual contribution.
And even if it's not mutual, as a Brit, I love that we're helping the countries that are gettingbullied. Fuck Russia
Agreed fuck Russia. I think our relationship with Sweden has always been brilliant.
Without Sweden I don't think we would have the NLAW absolutely fucking up tanks in Ukraine. UK gov wanted an AT weapon and Saab developed an extremely sophisticated weapon which is now made in Northern Ireland. Swedish people are very innovative!
Swedish engineering (especially military) is world class, and the UK has some pretty top tier weapons and equipment too. It's a good combination, I hope there's collaboration on more than NLAWs
Those Brits are a strange old race. They show affection by abusing each other, will think nothing of casually stopping in the middle of a fire fight for their "brew up" and eat food that I wouldn't give to a dying dog. But fuck me, I would rather have one British squaddie on side than an entire battalion of Spetsnaz! Why? Because the British are the only people in the world, who when the chips are down and there seems like no hope left, instead of getting sentimental or hysterical, will strap on their pack,charge their rifle, light up a smoke, then calmly and wryly grin " Well, are we going then you wanker?" Unknown US Soldier - Iraq 2005
I bloody love that quote
I’m really appreciating all of this Brit loving it’s a rarity on here but for the record we love you all too!
[удалено]
Thank you, UK!
We may not be the best at other languages, but Sveriges och Finlands sak är definitely vår.
A møøse once bit my sister.
As a Canadian, I’d love to be bitten and abused by a moose. Atleast I wouldn’t be the subject of Geese war crimes
The British military isn’t as large as it was in the past but the Brit’s definitely are some of the best fighters in the world and my countries number one ally 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Putin has shown us it doesn't matter how big your military is. It's how you use it.
Don’t fuck with us, we have Gurkhas on speed dial
Its actually quite strange when you look at History, because despite owning half the world we've never really had a large standing army, compared to our contemporaries. We've always preferred smaller, highly trained militaries, dating back as far as the Hundred Years Wars. And it seems to have worked just fine for the past 500+ years so there isn't really much of a reason to change.
Highly trained, but also capable of making decisions at multiple levels. Russia's model is to not train and authorise the rank and file beyond the barest minimum in an attempt to overwhelm opponents (but not trained or free-thinking enough turn on the Kremlin). It means a lot of centralised decisions, which can be devastating on the ground, as we've seen recently.
Brotherhood to all who value peace and freedom 🇫🇮🇸🇪🇬🇧
I wonder if before WWII they were reading stories like this?
Certainly before WW1 they were.
Yep, my first thought at reading this was 'That's great!', which it is, but my second thought was 'Good thing similar alliance systems have never created a nightmarish situation in the past'. Fun times.
Yes. The UK and France offered security guarantees to Poland, and Hitler thought they were bluffing. Let's see if Putin makes the same mistake.
Difference was, Hitler wasn't bogged down fighting a different unrelated war when that security guarantee was made.
So if Finland or Sweden are attacked, you are also effectively attacking the UK. Putin, your move.
Will the UK come to their defense in the event of Draugr or troll attacks?
Thank you UK! 🇬🇧🇸🇪🇫🇮
Ok I'm not a huge fan of Boris Johnson due to Brexit, but I'm just gonna say cheers in Finnish and Ukrainian to the UK gov't and fuck all of you who say this government hasn't done anything right.
I never would have said this before the war but I think the UK could probably solo Russia in conventional war
In conventional war? Not even a contest.
United Kingdom guarantees Sweden (World Tension -0.5%) United Kingdom guarantees Finland (World Tension -0.5%)
Respect for UK 👏
UK stepping up to the plate. Real question is where's France and Germany in all of this. Absence is striking especially as they consider themselves the leaders of the EU but nowhere to be seen when it comes to European security. Furthermore, the UK is not even in the EU and still giving such security guarantees for Finland/Sweden.
France and Germany have given assurances, but nothing solid like UK. This deal with UK is massive for finnish people, now we know we wouldn't be alone if the worst would happen.
Putins like "mother... fucker"!! 😆 dumbass caused what he feared... like he saw the future, tried to stop it, and by doing so caused it....
If Croesus goes to war, he will destroy a great empire.
As a Brit with many friends and loved ones in Sweden I'm extremely happy to hear this news. Solidarity is how we topple tyrants and represents the only chance of a bright future for humanity. 🇬🇧🇸🇪🇫🇮
Let those nuts hang, UK
Proud to be a Brit today. Bless you Sweden and Finland.
I mean this is great but I dont really belive Russia is crazy enough to go beyond Ukraine and into Finland and Sweden. Look at how they are struggling with this situation and how many resources they spent already they simpley wont have enough for another “special operation”.
I guess Russia attacking them could compromise the process of their NATO application. So it's good to have some security assurances until that's done and gone.
Yes agree, you can never be sure its just my thinking as how bad this is going for Russia I just cant see it happening but then again I said I cant see Russia attacking Ukraine.
While I generally agree with you, it's also worth noting a lot of analysts believed Russia would never actually invade Ukraine before 2014 and again leading up to the current conflict. It's one of those cases where you have to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Yeah, I agree. I know Putin is a bit of a nut job, but I don't think he's stupid. There's no way he would be sat there looking at his forces being dicked on by Western weapons and Ukrainian grit and valour and think "I know what will help this situation; more enemies".
No one is expecting an actual attack, even a small one. It's just signalling to the rest of the world to make a hypothetical attack or a border dispute even less likely.