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Ukraine conflict: What is Nato and how can Finland and Sweden join? Ukraine conflict: What is Nato and how can Finland and Sweden join?
(1 day later)
Finland and Sweden already have highly capable militariesFinland and Sweden already have highly capable militaries
Sweden and Finland have confirmed they will apply to join the Western security alliance Nato.Sweden and Finland have confirmed they will apply to join the Western security alliance Nato.
The move is supported by existing Nato countries, who are supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight Russia's invasion. Their decision was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is being welcomed by most of the 30 existing countries in Nato.
However, Turkey is opposing either country joining the pact, saying the two countries support anti-Turkish terrorists.
Sweden confirms Nato hopes in historic shiftSweden confirms Nato hopes in historic shift
What is Nato?What is Nato?
Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - is a defensive military alliance. It was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and France.Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - is a defensive 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 if they come under armed attack. Finland will take it to 31 members.Members agree to come to one another's aid if they come under armed attack. Finland will take it to 31 members.
Nato's original aim was to counter Russian expansion in Europe after World War Two.Nato's original aim was to counter Russian expansion in Europe after World War Two.
Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many of its former Eastern European allies joined Nato.Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many of its former Eastern European allies joined Nato.
How could Finland and Sweden join Nato?How could Finland and Sweden join Nato?
Both countries have been neutral for many years, but public support for joining Nato has grown since Russia invaded Ukraine.Both countries have been neutral for many years, but public support for joining Nato has grown since Russia invaded Ukraine.
It can take a year to apply and become a Nato member and all member states must agree that a new country can join. It can take a year to apply and become a Nato member, and all member states must agree that a new country can join.
In order to join Nato, countries must be democracies, treat minorities fairly and commit to resolving conflicts peacefully.In order to join Nato, countries must be democracies, treat minorities fairly and commit to resolving conflicts peacefully.
They must also provide military support to the alliance.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.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 already meets this target and Sweden says it will do so "as soon as possible".Nato members agree to spend 2% of their GDP on defence. Finland already meets this target and Sweden says it will do so "as soon as possible".
Is Nato's Nordic expansion a threat or boost to Europe?Is Nato's Nordic expansion a threat or boost to Europe?
However, one Nato member, Turkey, says it will refuse to let in either Sweden or Finland.
Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says the two countries have been harbouring members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group it views as a terrorist organisation.
Mr Erdogan also says they are harbouring followers of Fethullah Gulen, who he accuses of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt.
Turkey could block Finland and Sweden Nato bids
Why isn't Nato sending troops to Ukraine?Why isn't Nato sending troops to Ukraine?
As Ukraine isn't a member, Nato 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, 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.
This is also why Nato rejected a no-fly zone over Ukraine.This is also why Nato rejected a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
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.
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 accepting new members from eastern Europe - and 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."
Russia has warned Finland and Sweden against joining.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 armyWestern 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 and US sent thousands of anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.The UK and US sent thousands of anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft 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.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.
Several Nato countries are now sending heavier weapons, to enable Ukraine to counter-attack Russia's army.Several Nato countries are now sending heavier weapons, to enable Ukraine to counter-attack Russia's army.
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.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.
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 plans to send armoured vehicles, electronic warfare equipment and anti-artillery radar systems.
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.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.