Britain hosts Baltic, Nordic leaders to find new ways to isolate Russia

LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to host leaders from countries along Russia’s north-west flank next week to discuss how to respond to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, including the Search for new ways to isolate the Russian economy.

The leaders of the countries of the Joint Expeditionary Force, a British-led grouping made up of Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, meet for talks in London on Tuesday.

Leaders are expected to agree to further military exercises in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea and will discuss the war in Ukraine and energy security, Johnson’s office said.

“European security has been shaken by Russia’s attack on Ukraine and together with our partners we will take action to ensure we emerge stronger and more united than before,” Johnson said in a statement.

“To ensure we are resilient to Putin’s threats, we must go beyond our military base – together with our North and Baltic Sea partners, we must ensure that we are insulated from Russia’s interference and impact on our energy supplies, economy and values.”

Britain has sanctioned hundreds of Russian individuals and entities, promised to phase out Russian oil imports and banned Russian companies from raising debt and equity in its financial hub.

Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Hugh Lawson

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