Cleverly set for Estonia stop-off before Nato gathering

James Cleverly will hold talks in Estonia and Norway over the coming days – as Nato foreign ministers gather for an informal meeting in Oslo.

The war in Ukraine is set to top the agenda at the Nato gathering, while it is also likely that Sweden’s accession will be discussed ahead of a key summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.

The Foreign Secretary will arrive in Tallinn on Tuesday for his first official visit to Estonia, where he is expected to meet members of the government and visit the Royal Navy’s HMS Albion in the Baltic Sea.

While there, he is likely to stress the UK’s desire for continued close co-operation on European security, including on support for Ukraine, which was invaded by its neighbour Russia last year, and the need to tackle illegal migration.

“In Estonia, across land, sea and air, British personnel are on the frontline protecting Europe’s security and deterring Russia’s cruel and catastrophic aggression,” Mr Cleverly said ahead of the trip.

“As Nato allies, we are stronger than ever before – unified against hostility and in defence of democracy and freedom.

“Not only is our military leading the way, our diplomats are working across the globe to galvanise our partners and strengthen international efforts to ensure (Russian President Vladimir) Putin faces the consequences of his barbaric actions.”

In Norway, Mr Cleverly is expected to use the informal meeting on Wednesday to push for Sweden to join Nato ahead of the summit in July.

Objections from Turkey and Hungary have so far slowed the process for Swedish membership.

Mr Cleverly’s stop-off in Estonia will also see him speak to figures from the country’s technology sector and visit a school for children of Ukrainian refugees.