This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18023383

The article has changed 58 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
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?
(3 days later)
Ministers from Nato's member states are discussing how to continue helping Ukraine defend itself from Russia's invasion. The Nato military alliance could soon expand, with both Finland and Sweden expected to apply for membership.
Ukraine's foreign minister has asked them for "weapons, weapons, weapons". Nato countries are currently supplying weapons, ammunition and other military equipment to Ukraine, following Russia's invasion.
The Czech Republic, a Nato partner, is reportedly sending tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
The US is supplying an advanced new anti-tank drone.
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, UK, Canada and France.
Its aim was originally to counter the threat of post-war Russian expansion in Europe.
Soviet Russia responded 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 joined Nato. The alliance now has 30 members.
Members agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any individual member state.Members agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any individual member state.
Nato's aim was originally to counter the threat of post-war Russian expansion in Europe.
Soviet Russia responded by creating its own military alliance of eastern European communist countries, called the Warsaw Pact.
After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, a number of former Warsaw Pact countries joined Nato.
Could Sweden and Finland join Nato?
US officials expect Sweden and Finland to bid for membership as early as June.
If they joined it would take the Nato alliance to 32 members.
Russia has warned both countries against doing so
But US defence officials said Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has been a "massive strategic blunder" which is likely to bring about Nato enlargement.
Why isn't Nato sending troops to Ukraine?Why isn't Nato sending troops to Ukraine?
Because Ukraine isn't a Nato member, the alliance isn't obliged to come to the country's defence.Because Ukraine isn't a Nato member, the alliance isn't obliged to come to the country's defence.
And Nato countries fear that if their troops confront Russian forces in Ukraine, it could lead to an all-out conflict between Russia and the West. Nato countries fear if their troops confront Russian forces in Ukraine, it could lead to an all-out conflict between Russia and the West.
Nato says its members are "determined to do all we can to support Ukraine," but must ensure the war doesn't escalate beyond Ukraine's borders.Nato says its members are "determined to do all we can to support Ukraine," but must ensure the war doesn't escalate beyond Ukraine's borders.
This is why Nato rejected imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.This is why Nato rejected imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
However, it has approved sending four new battlegroups to Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania - three of which border Ukraine - doubling Nato's presence in the region.However, it has approved sending four new battlegroups to Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania - three of which border Ukraine - doubling Nato's presence in the region.
Western leaders meet to discuss Ukraine support Why is Russia opposed to Nato?
UK troops will not fight against Russia - Wallace
Why isn't Ukraine a Nato member?
Nato offered Ukraine a path towards membership in 2008. After Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine made joining a priority.Nato offered Ukraine a path towards membership in 2008. After Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine made joining a priority.
But this hasn't happened, mainly because of Russia's long-standing opposition.But this hasn't happened, mainly because of Russia's long-standing opposition.
One of Russia's demands before the invasion was that Ukraine should never be allowed to join - something the alliance refused to support. One of Russia's demands before the invasion was that Ukraine should never be allowed to join - something Nato refused to accept.
Russia fears Nato is encroaching on its territory by taking on new members from eastern Europe, and that admitting Ukraine would bring its forces into its backyard. Russia fears Nato is encroaching on its area of political influence by taking on new members from eastern Europe, and that admitting Ukraine would bring Nato into its backyard.
Ukraine's President Zelensky has accepted his country can't join Nato at present, saying: "It is clear that Ukraine is not a member of Nato. We understand this."Ukraine's President Zelensky has accepted his country can't join Nato at present, saying: "It is clear that Ukraine is not a member of Nato. We understand this."
China joins Russia in opposing Nato expansionChina joins Russia in opposing Nato expansion
Which weapons have the UK and other countries sent to Ukraine?Which weapons have the UK and other countries sent to Ukraine?
Ahead of the Nato meeting in Brussels, the UK said it would provide 6,000 new defensive missiles and £25m to help Ukraine pay its armed forces. Initially, Nato countries limited their supplies to defensive weapons - such as handheld anti-tank or anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition.
The UK has already supplied more than 4,000 shoulder-mounted NLAW anti-tank missiles. It has also sent some Starstreak missiles. Now several member states are supplying Ukraine with more sophisticated equipment, to enable Ukraine's army to push back against Russia's army.
Slovakia has sent its S-300 anti aircraft defence system - this can attack aircraft up to 400km away
The Czech Republic has sent T72 tanks and armoured infantry carriers
The UK and Australia are sending armoured vehicles
Germany is considering sending tanks and other armoured vehicles, but has not reached a decision
Ahead of a recent Nato meeting in Brussels, the UK said it would provide 6,000 new defensive missiles and £25m to help Ukraine pay its armed forces.
The UK has already supplied over 4,000 shoulder-mounted NLAW anti-tank missiles and some Starstreak missiles.
A Ukrainian soldier holding a Javelin anti-tank missile system during exercises in 2021A Ukrainian soldier holding a Javelin anti-tank missile system during exercises in 2021
It has also given body armour, helmets and boots.It has also given body armour, helmets and boots.
In addition, the UK has deployed Sky Sabre, a long-range air defence system to Poland, along with 100 military personnel to operate it.In addition, the UK has deployed Sky Sabre, a long-range air defence system to Poland, along with 100 military personnel to operate it.
The US initially sent $200m (£152m) and then a further $350m (£267m) of weapons. This included Javelin missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and body armour.The US initially sent $200m (£152m) and then a further $350m (£267m) of weapons. This included Javelin missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and body armour.
The US has since announced a $1bn (£760m) security aid package. This includes more sophisticated longer-range weapons such as Switchblade anti-tank drones.The US has since announced a $1bn (£760m) security aid package. This includes more sophisticated longer-range weapons such as Switchblade anti-tank drones.
The Czech Republic says it is supplying weapons worth $45m (£34m), including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).
Nato has stepped up its military defences in eastern EuropeNato has stepped up its military defences in eastern Europe
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 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.
Germany, too, has dropped its long-standing restrictions on supplying weapons to a combat area. It is sending "several dozen" IFVs to Ukraine.
The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia are among those also sending military equipment, including ammunition, fuel and rations.The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia are among those also sending military equipment, including ammunition, fuel and rations.
Are arms shipments to Ukraine making a difference?Are arms shipments to Ukraine making a difference?
How many troops does Nato have in Eastern Europe?How many troops does Nato have in Eastern Europe?
Even before the latest deployments are agreed, Nato already had troops stretching from the Baltic republics in the north to Romania in the south.Even before the latest deployments are agreed, Nato already had 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.
Nato has sent elements of its 40,000-strong Response Force to Eastern European countries bordering Russia and Ukraine.Nato has sent 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 120 ships, including three carrier groups, patrolling the seas from the far north to the eastern Mediterranean.
The US has committed to sending more troops to Europe - joining the existing four multinational battlegroups Nato has in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and its multinational brigade in Romania.The US has committed to sending more troops to Europe - joining the existing four multinational battlegroups Nato has in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and its multinational brigade in Romania.