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 36 Version 37
What is Nato and why is Finland joining? What is Nato and why is Finland joining?
(14 days later)
Turkey is giving the go-ahead for Finland to join Nato - the defensive alliance of North American and European countries whose members are currently helping Ukraine in its war against Russia. Turkey's parliament has approved Finland's bid to join Nato, meaning the way is now clear to join the bloc.
Both Finland and Sweden applied to join the bloc last year because they were concerned about Russian aggression. Nato is a the defensive alliance of North American and European countries whose members are currently helping Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Finland applied to join the bloc last year, along with its neighbour Sweden, because it was concerned about Russian aggression. Turkey was the last country to approve its entry.
What is Nato?What is Nato?
Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and France.Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and France.
Members agree to help one another if they come under attack. It currently has 30 members, who agree to help one another if they come under attack.
The organisation's original goal was to challenge Russian expansion in Europe after World War Two.The organisation's original goal was to challenge Russian expansion in Europe after World War Two.
After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many of the Eastern European countries which used to be Russia's allies in the Warsaw Pact group were granted Nato membership. After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many of the Eastern European countries which used to be its allies in the Warsaw Pact were granted Nato membership.
Russia has long argued that Nato's acceptance of these countries threatens its security. It has vehemently opposed Ukraine's request to join the alliance, fearing this would encroach too closely on its territory. Russia has long argued that Nato's acceptance of Eastern European countries threatens its security. It has vehemently opposed Ukraine's request to join the alliance, fearing this would encroach too closely on its territory.
Why do Sweden and Finland want to join Nato? Why do Finland and Sweden want to join Nato?
Finland has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia, while Sweden faces it across the Baltic Sea.Finland has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia, while Sweden faces it across the Baltic Sea.
For seven decades, both thought it safer to remain neutral rather than join Nato in opposition to Russia. For seven decades, both thought it safer to remain non-aligned rather than to join Nato in opposition to Russia.
But after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, they asked jointly to be given entry to the alliance as soon as possible. But after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, they both asked to be given entry to the alliance as soon as possible.
The two countries would add 280,000 troops to Nato's combined forces (including reservists), and more than 200 combat aircraft. The two countries would add 280,000 troops (including reservists) to Nato's combined forces, and more than 200 combat aircraft.
All current Nato members have to approve new countries joining through votes in their parliaments. All current Nato members have to approve new countries joining through votes in their parliaments. Hungary and Turkey were the last countries to vote for Finland's entry.
Why has Turkey opposed Finland and Sweden joining? Hungary did so on 27 March and Turkey on 30 March.
Turkey's government has said that Sweden and Finland have been harbouring Turkish citizens who it says are "terrorists". It has been demanding their extradition. Why was Turkey's vote so important to Finland and Sweden joining?
Since Sweden is the main focus of Turkey's complaints, Finland negotiated a settlement with Turkey on its own. When Finland and Sweden applied to join Nato, Turkey's government complained that they had been harbouring Turkish citizens who it calls "terrorists". It demanded their extradition.
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has praised the "authentic and concrete steps" Finland has taken regarding his country's security. Since Sweden was the main focus of Turkey's complaints, Finland negotiated a settlement with Turkey on its own.
He will now ask Turkey's parliament to vote to let Finland join Nato. It now hopes it will be able to join Nato in time for the bloc's July summit in Lithuania.
This leaves only Hungary still to approve Finland's entry and Hungary's ruling Fidesz Party says the parliament in Budapest will vote on the matter on 27 March. However, Turkey is still criticising Sweden for harbouring "Kurdish militants" and neither Turkey's nor Hungary's governments have yet asked their parliaments to approve its entry.
Finland hopes it will be able to join Nato in time for the bloc's July summit in Lithuania.
However, Turkey is still criticising Sweden for harbouring "Kurdish militants" and neither Turkey or Hungary are yet asking their parliaments to vote on its entry.
Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining NatoTurkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato
How are Nato countries supporting Ukraine?How are Nato countries supporting Ukraine?
Many of the alliance's member states have provided Ukraine with weapons and ammunition to help it defend itself against Russia..Many of the alliance's member states have provided Ukraine with weapons and ammunition to help it defend itself against Russia..
The US is sending 31 Abrams tanks, the UK 14 Challenger 2 tanks, Germany 14 Leopard 2 tanks and Norway eight Leopard 2 tanks.The US is sending 31 Abrams tanks, the UK 14 Challenger 2 tanks, Germany 14 Leopard 2 tanks and Norway eight Leopard 2 tanks.
The US has also sent armoured fighting vehicles such as the Stryker and the Bradley.The US has also sent armoured fighting vehicles such as the Stryker and the Bradley.
In addition, the US and UK have sent Ukraine long-range missile systems such as Himars and the M142, which have been striking targets behind Russia's front lines. In addition, the US and UK have sent Ukraine long-range missile systems such as Himars, which have been striking targets behind Russia's front lines.
A Himars launcher under tree cover in eastern UkraineA Himars launcher under tree cover in eastern Ukraine
Several Nato countries have provided howitzers and self-propelled guns, while Turkey has sold Ukraine several Bayraktar TB2 armed drones.Several Nato countries have provided howitzers and self-propelled guns, while Turkey has sold Ukraine several Bayraktar TB2 armed drones.
The US and others have supplied air defence systems such as Patriot and Starstreak to shoot down Russian cruise missiles and drones over Ukraine. The US and others have supplied air defence systems to shoot down Russian cruise missiles and drones over Ukraine.
The anti-tank weapons that the US and UK have supplied, such as Javelin and Nlaw, were crucial in turning back Russia's advance on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, in spring 2022.The anti-tank weapons that the US and UK have supplied, such as Javelin and Nlaw, were crucial in turning back Russia's advance on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, in spring 2022.
Nato countries are also aiming to ramp up their supplies of artillery shells and ammunition to Ukraine, and are asking their domestic manufacturers to increase production. Nato countries are also aiming to ramp up their supplies of artillery shells and ammunition to Ukraine.
What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?
Why won't Nato countries give Western jets to Ukraine? Why won't Nato countries give more help to Ukraine?
Poland says it will send four Soviet-era Mig fighter jets to Ukraine, and Slovakia says it will send 13 Migs that it no longer uses. Poland and Slovakia are sending Ukraine Soviet-era Mig fighter jets, but Nato countries are not sending the US-made F-16s it has been asking for.
However, Nato countries are not sending the more modern, US-made F-16s that Ukraine has been asking for. Nato countries also fear that if Ukraine were to use these jets to strike targets inside Russia, it could draw them deeper into the war.
It takes a lot of time to train pilots, and the planes need a great deal of maintenance. Nato countries are not sending their troops to Ukraine, or imposing a no-fly zone over the country, again for fear of provoking a direct conflict with Russia.
Nato countries also fear Ukraine could use these jets to strike targets inside Russia, which could draw them deeper into the war.
However, Nato says the question of the fighter jets will stay "under discussion".
Why isn't Nato sending troops to help Ukraine?
Nato countries are not sending troops to Ukraine for fear of provoking a direct conflict with Russia.
They also refused to operate a no-fly zone over Ukraine, for the same reason.
Nato has stepped up its military defences in eastern EuropeNato has stepped up its military defences in eastern Europe
However, since Russia's invasion, Nato countries have stationed 40,000 troops in eastern Europe - on the territory of alliance members such as Lithuania and Poland. However, Nato countries have now stationed 40,000 troops in eastern Europe - on the territory of alliance members such as Lithuania and Poland.
They also have another 300,000 troops on high alert in Europe.They also have another 300,000 troops on high alert in Europe.
Five ways Ukraine war could go in 2023Five ways Ukraine war could go in 2023
Why isn't Ukraine in Nato?Why isn't Ukraine in Nato?
Nato told Ukraine in 2008 that it could join the bloc at some point in the future, but declined its recent request for "fast-track" membership.Nato told Ukraine in 2008 that it could join the bloc at some point in the future, but declined its recent request for "fast-track" membership.
This is because Article 5 of the Nato charter says that if one member is attacked, all members should come to its defence.This is because Article 5 of the Nato charter says that if one member is attacked, all members should come to its defence.
If Ukraine was made a member, Nato countries would technically have to go to war with Russia.If Ukraine was made a member, Nato countries would technically have to go to war with Russia.
Ukraine defence minister: We are in effect part of NatoUkraine defence minister: We are in effect part of Nato
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Russia-Ukraine warRussia-Ukraine war
TurkeyTurkey
SwedenSweden
RussiaRussia
NatoNato
FinlandFinland
United StatesUnited States
UkraineUkraine