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Ukraine conflict: What is Nato and will Finland and Sweden join? Ukraine conflict: What is Nato and how could Finland and Sweden join?
(about 20 hours later)
Boris Johnson has said the UK would support Sweden and Finland if they came under attack. Both countries are considering whether to join Nato, with a decision expected shortly. Finland and Sweden already have highly capable militaries
The US has also said it would support them in the period between applying and then becoming members of the defence alliance. Finland has said it wants to join Nato and neighbouring Sweden is expected to make a decision soon.
Nato countries are currently supplying Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of weapons to counter Russia's invasion. The move is supported by existing Nato countries, who are supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight Russia's invasion.
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, UK, Canada and France. Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - is a military alliance. It was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and France.
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 if they come under armed attack. Finland will take it to 31 members.
Currently 30 countries are members of Nato Nato's original aim was to counter Russian expansion in Europe after World War Two.
Nato's aim was originally to counter the threat of post-war Russian expansion in Europe. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many of its former Eastern European allies joined Nato.
Soviet Russia responded by creating its own military alliance of eastern European communist countries, called the Warsaw Pact. How could Finland and Sweden join Nato?
After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, most former Warsaw Pact countries joined Nato. Both countries have been neutral for many years, but public support for joining Nato has grown since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Will Sweden and Finland join Nato? It can take a year to apply and become a Nato member. But the UK and US have said they would offer military support to Sweden and Finland if they were attacked beforehand.
Sweden and Finland are expected to announce their decisions within days. In order to join Nato, countries must be democracies, treat minorities fairly and commit to resolving conflicts peacefully.
Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has said they would be welcomed if they did apply, and that the joining process would be quick. They must also provide military support to the alliance.
Both Finland - which has a 1,340km (830 mile) border with Russia - and Sweden have highly capable militaries.
Nato members agree to spend 2% of their GDP on defence. Finland meets this target and Sweden will do so "as soon as possible".
Are Sweden and Finland going from neutral to Nato?Are Sweden and Finland going from neutral to Nato?
Is Nato's Nordic expansion a threat or boost to Europe?Is Nato's Nordic expansion a threat or boost to Europe?
Both countries have long pursued policies of military neutrality. Were they to join, it would take the Nato alliance to 32 members.
Finland shares a 1,340km (830 mile) border with Russia, which has warned both countries against joining, threatening a "military technical response".
However, US defence officials say that Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has been a "massive strategic blunder" that is likely to bring about Nato enlargement.
Why isn't Nato sending troops to Ukraine?Why isn't Nato sending troops to Ukraine?
As Ukraine isn't a Nato member, the alliance isn't obliged to come to its defence. As Ukraine isn't a member, Nato isn't obliged to come to its defence.
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 that if their troops confront Russian forces, 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. This is also why Nato rejected a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
This is why Nato rejected imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
However, it has approved setting up four new multi-national battlegroups in Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania - three of which border Ukraine - doubling Nato's presence in the region.
Why is Russia opposed to Nato?Why is Russia opposed to Nato?
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 has not happened, mainly because of Russia's long-standing opposition.But this has not 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 Nato refused to accept. Russia believes Nato has been encroaching on its area of political influence by accepting new members from eastern Europe - and admitting Ukraine would bring Nato into its backyard.
Russia believes Nato has been encroaching on its area of political influence by taking on new members from eastern Europe, and that admitting Ukraine would bring Nato right 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."
Russia has warned Finland and Sweden against joining.
China joins Russia in opposing Nato expansionChina joins Russia in opposing Nato expansion
Western countries initially sent defensive weapons to Ukraine's army
Which weapons have the UK and other countries sent to Ukraine?Which weapons have the UK and other countries sent to Ukraine?
Initially, Nato countries limited their supplies to defensive weapons.Initially, Nato countries limited their supplies to defensive weapons.
The UK sent Ukraine thousands of NLAW anti-tank missiles and some Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles. The UK and US sent thousands of anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.
The US sent Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
Initially, western countries sent defensive weapons such as anti-tank missiles to Ukraine
Slovakia sent its S-300 anti-aircraft defence system, which can destroy aircraft up to 400km away. The US and Turkey have both sent drones armed with missiles.Slovakia sent its S-300 anti-aircraft defence system, which can destroy aircraft up to 400km away. The US and Turkey have both sent drones armed with missiles.
But several Nato countries have now significantly stepped up their supplies and are sending heavier weapons - such as long-range artillery - to enable Ukraine to counter-attack Russia's army, and they are planning massively to increase the amounts they are spending on military aid. Several Nato countries are now sending heavier weapons, to enable Ukraine to counter-attack Russia's army.
The US is now sending helicopters, artillery and armoured personnel carriers. The US is sending helicopters, artillery and armoured personnel carriers. It plans to offer a $33bn (£26bn) grant for security and economic assistance to Ukraine on top of the $3.7bn (£3bn) it has already spent.
US President Joe Biden is asking Congress to approve a $33bn (£26bn) grant for security and economic assistance to Ukraine on top of the $3.7bn (£3bn) it has already spent. The UK is offering an extra £300m in military support to Ukraine and plans to send armoured vehicles, electronic warfare equipment and anti-artillery radar systems.
The UK is offering an extra £300m in military support to Ukraine and is planning to send armoured vehicles, electronic warfare equipment, anti-artillery radar systems and night vision devices.
France is among those countries now supplying Ukraine with long-range artilleryFrance is among those countries now supplying Ukraine with long-range artillery
The Czech Republic has sent T-72 tanks and armoured infantry carriersThe Czech Republic has sent T-72 tanks and armoured infantry carriers
Australia is sending armoured vehiclesAustralia is sending armoured vehicles
Canada is sending artilleryCanada is sending artillery
France and the Netherlands are sending self-propelled artilleryFrance and the Netherlands are sending self-propelled artillery
Germany is sending anti-aircraft tanksGermany is sending anti-aircraft tanks
The EU has said it will spend up to 450m euros (£376m) to fund the supply of weapons to Ukraine - the first time the EU has helped provide arms to a warzone.The EU has said it will spend up to 450m euros (£376m) to fund the supply of weapons to Ukraine - the first time the EU has helped provide arms to a warzone.
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?
Nato already had troops stretching from the Baltic in the north to Romania in the south.Nato already had troops stretching from the Baltic in the north to Romania in the south.
They had been stationed there in 2014, after Russia's annexation of Crimea - designed to act as a "tripwire" in case of a Russian attack. They had been stationed there in 2014, after Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Nato has stepped up its military defences in eastern EuropeNato has stepped up its military defences in eastern Europe
Nato has now sent elements of its 40,000-strong Response Force to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine.Nato has now sent elements of its 40,000-strong Response Force to countries bordering Russia and Ukraine.
It has fighter jets on alert and naval ships, including aircraft carrier groups, patrolling the seas.It has fighter jets on alert and naval ships, including aircraft carrier groups, patrolling the seas.
The US is sending more troops to join Nato's existing four multinational battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and the multinational brigade in Romania.