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Ukraine conflict: What is Nato and how has it responded to Russia's invasion? Ukraine conflict: What is Nato and how has it responded to Russia's invasion?
(17 days later)
Nato has rejected calls to enforce a no-fly zone, saying it could lead to direct conflict with Russia. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that his country cannot join Nato in the near future - despite its long-standing hope to do so.
Nato member states such as Britain are already sending weapons to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion. The EU says it will provide hundreds of millions of pounds to help arm Ukraine. Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the security bloc remained united in its support of Ukraine. Member states including Britain are already sending weapons to help it fight the Russian invasion
However, the alliance has rejected calls to enforce a "no-fly zone", saying it could lead to direct conflict with Russia.
Russia has put its nuclear forces on "special alert" to counter what it calls Nato's aggression.Russia has put its nuclear forces on "special alert" to counter what it calls Nato's aggression.
What is Nato?What is Nato?
Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - is a military alliance formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and France.Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - is a military alliance formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and France.
Members agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any one member state.Members agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any one member state.
Its aim was originally to counter the threat of post-war Russian expansion in Europe.Its aim was originally to counter the threat of post-war Russian expansion in Europe.
In 1955 Soviet Russia responded to Nato by creating its own military alliance of eastern European communist countries, called the Warsaw Pact.In 1955 Soviet Russia responded to Nato by creating its own military alliance of eastern European communist countries, called the Warsaw Pact.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a number of former Warsaw Pact countries switched sides and became Nato members. The alliance now has 30 members.Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a number of former Warsaw Pact countries switched sides and became Nato members. The alliance now has 30 members.
Why is Nato not intervening? Why isn't Ukraine a Nato member?
Ukraine is not a member of Nato, so the alliance is not obliged to come to its defence. Nato originally offered Ukraine eventual membership back in 2008, and after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine made joining Nato a priority.
It is only a "partner" country, meaning there is an understanding it might join at some point in the future. But this hasn't happened, mainly because of Russia's long-standing opposition to such a move.
Russia fears Nato is encroaching on its territory by taking on new members in eastern Europe, and that admitting Ukraine would bring Nato forces into its backyard.
Ukraine's President Zelensky has now accepted his country cannot join Nato at present, saying: "It is clear that Ukraine is not a member of Nato. We understand this."
The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the same point, saying, "There is no way Ukraine is going to join Nato any time soon".
One of Russia's demands before the invasion was that Ukraine should never be allowed to join - something the alliance had refused to support.
China joins Russia in opposing Nato expansion
Why isn't Nato sending troops to Ukraine?
Ukraine is not a member of Nato, so the alliance is not obliged to come to the country's defence.
Nato countries have also made it plain that if their troops were to confront Russian forces in Ukraine, it could lead to an all-out conflict between Russia and the west.Nato countries have also made it plain that if their troops were to confront Russian forces in Ukraine, it could lead to an all-out conflict between Russia and the west.
US President Joe Biden has said: "That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another." UK troops will not fight against Russia - Wallace
Will Nato impose a no-fly zone? Why won't Nato impose a no-fly zone?
Nato has also rejected imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, to deny Russia air superiority and protect civilians. Nato has rejected imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, to deny Russia air superiority and protect civilians.
One reason is that it wants to avoid conflict between Russian and its air forces. Another reason is that Nato planes, which are trying to protect themselves from attack, might need to fire anti-radiation missiles (ARMs) at radar installations on Russian territory. It wants to avoid conflict between Russian and its air forces.
Nato planes might need to fire anti-radiation missiles (ARMs) at radar installations on Russian territory.
Russia could use this as a reason to declare war on Nato countries.Russia could use this as a reason to declare war on Nato countries.
How is the West helping Ukraine indirectly? How is the West helping Ukraine?
Some Nato nations have been sending weapons to Ukraine to help its defend itself against Russia. Several Nato nations have been sending weapons to Ukraine to help its defend itself against Russia.
The US sent weapons $200m (£149m) to Ukraine, including Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and allowed other Nato countries to supply Ukraine with US-made weapons. It says it will now send an extra $350m (£261m) in weapons including Javelin anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft systems and body armour. The US has been the biggest supplier of military equipment. It initially sent $200m (£152m) and then a further $350m (£267m) of weapons. This included hand-held Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and body armour.
Britain has sent 2,000 short-range anti-tank missiles and says it will send more weapons in the future. The US has now expanded this and announced a $1bn (£760m) security aid package. This will include the deployment of more sophisticated longer-range weapons and drones to Ukraine,
Germany is sending 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles. It has also dropped some restrictions on other countries sending German-made weapons to Ukraine. It has also allowed other Nato countries to supply Ukraine with US-made weapons.
The Netherlands is sending 200 anti-aircraft missiles. Belgium is sending 2,000 machine guns and fuel. Sweden is sending 5,000 anti-tank weapons, helmets, body armour and rations.
Nato has stepped up its military defences in eastern EuropeNato has stepped up its military defences in eastern Europe
Poland has started sending ammunition, while Estonia and Latvia have begun to send fuel, anti-tank weapons and medical supplies. The Czech Republic has said it will send guns and ammunition. Slovakia has said it will send ammunition and fuel. The EU has said it will spend up to 450m euros (£376m) to fund the supply of weapons to Ukraine. It is the first time in its history that the EU has helped provide arms for a warzone.
The EU has said it will be spending up to 450m euros (£376m) to fund the supply of weapons to Ukraine. It's the first time in its history the EU has helped provide arms for a warzone. Germany, too, has dropped its long-standing restrictions on supplying weapons to a combat area.
One of Russia's demands before the invasion was that Ukraine should never be allowed to join - something the alliance refused to agree to. Britain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are among those Nato members which are also sending military equipment - including anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft missiles, ammunition, fuel, helmets, body armour and rations.
Russia fears Nato has been encroaching on its territory by taking on new members in eastern Europe and that admitting Ukraine would bring Nato forces into its backyard. Three prime ministers risk train ride to meet Zelensky
Nato says it is a purely defensive alliance. Its secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a "brutal act of war". Are arms shipments to Ukraine making a difference?
China joins Russia in opposing Nato expansion How many troops does Nato have in Eastern Europe?
What presence does Nato have in Eastern Europe? Nato already has troops stretching from the Baltic republics in the north to Romania in the south and now deploying more forces.
Nato already has troops stretching from the Baltic republics in the north to Romania in the south.
They were stationed there in 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea and are designed to act as a "tripwire" in case of a Russian attack.They were stationed there in 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea and are designed to act as a "tripwire" in case of a Russian attack.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has heightened concerns among members in eastern Europe. Nato is now sending elements of its 40,000-strong Response Force to Eastern European countries bordering Russia and Ukraine.
Nato is now deploying elements of its 40,000-strong Response Force to Eastern European countries bordering Russia and Ukraine. It has 100 fighter jets on high alert and 120 ships, including three carrier groups, patrolling the seas from the far north to the eastern Mediterranean.
It has 100 fighter jets on high alert and has 120 ships, including three carrier groups, patrolling the seas from the far north to the eastern Mediterranean. "We will defend every ally and every inch of Nato territory," said alliance secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg
"We will defend every ally and every inch of Nato territory," said Mr Stoltenberg.
President Putin of Russia has put the country's nuclear forces onto "special alert" because of "aggressive statements" by the West.President Putin of Russia has put the country's nuclear forces onto "special alert" because of "aggressive statements" by the West.
The announcement does not mean Russia intends to use the weapons.The announcement does not mean Russia intends to use the weapons.
The US immediately condemned his decision calling it an "unacceptable escalation".
The US has committed to sending more troops to Europe, but President Biden said they will not be fighting in Ukraine itself.The US has committed to sending more troops to Europe, but President Biden said they will not be fighting in Ukraine itself.
The extra troops will join the four multinational battlegroups Nato has in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and its multinational brigade in Romania.The extra troops will join the four multinational battlegroups Nato has in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and its multinational brigade in Romania.
UK troops will not fight against Russia - Wallace