LONDON, May 20, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Britain and Finland will sign a new
strategic partnership on Monday to strengthen ties and counter the "threat of
Russian aggression", the UK foreign ministr said.

The two countries will declare Russia as "the most significant and direct
threat to European peace and stability," according to a Foreign Office press
release.

The agreement will be endorsed by UK foreign minister David Cameron and his
Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen in London.

"As we stand together to support Ukraine, including through providing
military aid and training, we are clear that the threat of Russian
aggression, following the war it started, will not be tolerated," said
Cameron.

"This strategic partnership, built on our shared values, will see the UK and
Finland step up cooperation to bolster European security as well as seize new
opportunities, from science and technology to closer energy ties," he added.

The countries will work together to counter Russian disinformation, malicious
cyber activities and support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and
modernisation, according to the Foreign Office.

Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Finland has joined the NATO military
alliance and shut off much of its border with Russia. Britain is a major
military supporter of Ukraine.