One almost instant reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine was the rush of countries looking to either join NATO or strengthen their ties to the military alliance. Finland and Sweden, two Scandinavian countries that have long preferred to keep an independent stance on their strategic partnerships, reversed course in a hurry after Russia launched its war.

Both countries are now on pace to join NATO by the end of this year. But the United Kingdom is jumping the gun a bit, which could complicate already tense relationships across Eastern Europe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reached agreements with Sweden and Finland to defend them if they are attacked by Russia ... and vice versa, the Scandinavian pair promised to come to the military aid of the U-K.

Meanwhile intense fighting continues in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, with the war increasingly looking like a drawn-out stalemate.

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