Both nations are also part of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which deployed forces and its headquarters to the Baltic region and held a leaders’ summit with President Zelenskyy. In May, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson traveled to Sweden and Finland to sign written security assurances which helped pave the way for their NATO membership bids. The Tallin Pledge also underscores this approach in Northern Europe. Building on its experience training Ukrainian soldiers since 2015, the UK spearheaded Operation Interflex in June to train over 10,000 on British soil alongside several international partners. The opening up of UK intelligence has played a key role in shaping public awareness of events on the ground. The UK was also the first to provide Next Generation Light Antitank Weapons, known as NLAW and made in Northern Ireland, rushed to Ukraine in large enough numbers to help turn the tide early in the war.
Through 2022 the UK provided more aid to Ukraine ($2.85 billion) than any other nation except the United States and has committed to the same level in 2023. The UK’s approach is most evident in Ukraine. However, this strategy comes with important risks London must manage in the coming months.
While this approach has been expedited since Brexit to demonstrate leadership outside of the EU, it is also rooted in the UK’s instinct to be at the center of world events.
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