Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aboard the HMS Diamond, addressed fellow leaders at a summit of northern European nations in Sweden, stressing the importance of countering terrorism in

Ukraine and Israel.

The Prime Minister's presence on the Baltic island of Gotland marked a UK-led defence gathering of the 10-member Joint Expeditionary Force. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the escalating situation in Israel and Gaza took precedence in discussions.

Although the threat from Russia and the war in Ukraine had initially been anticipated as the central focus of the summit, the invasion in Ukraine had raised concerns regarding security cooperation in the region. Therefore, while support for Ukraine remained a significant topic, the Middle East conflict loomed large over the meeting.

While onboard the HMS Diamond, the Prime Minister voiced solidarity with both Ukraine and Israel in his opening remarks to fellow leaders.

"It is essential for us to express our outrage over the recent terrorist attacks in Israel," he emphasized. "I believe we should stand with Israel during these challenging times. I have personally pledged my full support to Prime Minister Netanyahu."

He further affirmed, "Terrorism must not be allowed to succeed, be it in Ukraine, Europe, or anywhere else."

Before the summit, Prime Minister Sunak held discussions with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the HMS Diamond, highlighting the symbolic significance of their collaboration. The two leaders also signed a new strategic partnership agreement during the gathering.

Discussions revolved around shared European concerns, such as energy security and illegal migration, as well as the importance of continued support for Kyiv in the ongoing war.

Regarding the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Prime Minister praised the progress made in defence cooperation, hailing it as the "first line of defense."

"In the past 18 months, we've achieved more than in nearly a decade," he noted, attributing this to the urgency of the situation and the dedication they put into the gathering.

Before arriving in Sweden, Prime Minister Sunak confirmed the UK's commitment to send Royal Navy vessels and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean in support of Israel. He stated that this deployment would help maintain regional stability and prevent further escalation. Photo by Alan Jamieson from Aberdeen, Scotland, Wikimedia commons.