Britain offers its 'nuclear umbrella' to allies — who is on the list

The United Kingdom has offered nuclear protection to nine European countries that are members of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The agreement is expected to be signed in November. Nuclear submarines play a key role in the defense. The list includes Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The Kremlin has criticized the initiative.

The United Kingdom has proposed nuclear protection to nine European countries within the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) group. According to the Finnish publication Iltalehti, the agreement is expected to be signed as early as November. The invited countries include Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. British nuclear submarines play a key role in the new defense scheme. Combat operations under the new JEF forces would not require the invocation of NATO's Article 5. The commander of the British Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, emphasized the significance of the initiative for Finland, which depends on maritime shipping in the Baltic Sea. The article also mentions that NATO considered deploying nuclear weapons in Poland, Finland, and Lithuania, which border Russia, over the summer. Finland has lifted its historic ban on the import and transit of such weapons, and Lithuania has approved a corresponding amendment. The Kremlin has sharply criticized the creation of a nuclear shield near Russia's borders. Russia's ambassador to Belgium, Denis Gonchar, stated that such steps bring the prospect of a direct military conflict with Russia closer.