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What is Nato and which countries are members? What is Nato and which countries are members?
(21 days later)
Sweden has moved one step closer to joining Nato, after the Turkish parliament approved its membership. US President Joe Biden criticised Donald Trump's recent comments about Nato as "dumb" and "shameful".
The military defence organisation, which brings together countries from Europe and North America, is recruiting new members and bolstering its defences following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The former president told an election rally that he would encourage Russia to attack Nato countries which failed to meet the organisation's spending target.
Nato, which is a military alliance of countries in Europe and North America, has been recruiting new members and bolstering its defences following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
What is Nato and when was it set up?What is Nato and when was it set up?
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.
Its aim was to block expansion by the then Soviet Union - a group of states which included Russia.Its aim was to block expansion by the then Soviet Union - a group of states which included Russia.
Members agree that if one of them is attacked, all other nations should help it - which could include using armed force. Members agree that if one of them is attacked, the other nations should help it defend itself.
Nato does not have an army of its own, but member countries can take collective military action in response to crises. They also coordinate military plans and carry out joint military exercises.Nato does not have an army of its own, but member countries can take collective military action in response to crises. They also coordinate military plans and carry out joint military exercises.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Nato said that it posed the "most significant and direct threat to allies' security".After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Nato said that it posed the "most significant and direct threat to allies' security".
Which countries are Nato members?Which countries are Nato members?
Nato has 31 members across Europe and North America. Nato has 31 members across Europe and North America, including the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey.
After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many Eastern European countries joined: Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many Eastern European countries joined: Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Sweden and Finland applied to join in May 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two countries feared for their security.Sweden and Finland applied to join in May 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two countries feared for their security.
Finland - which has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia - became a Nato member in April 2023.Finland - which has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia - became a Nato member in April 2023.
Sweden's bid for membership was finally approved by the Turkish parliament on 23 January. Sweden only needs Hungary's parliament to approve its membership.
Turkey had been blocking Sweden's application, because it said the country had refused to hand over members of militant groups such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (the PKK). Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia also want to join.
Now, Sweden only needs Hungary's parliament to approve its membership.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, also want to join Nato.
How Sweden and Finland went from neutral to NatoHow Sweden and Finland went from neutral to Nato
When will Ukraine join Nato?When will Ukraine join Nato?
Nato has said that Ukraine can become a member, but has not confirmed when this will happen. Nato has said that Ukraine can become a member, but has not confirmed when.
It refused Ukrainian President Zelensky's request for "fast-track" membership in September 2022.It refused Ukrainian President Zelensky's request for "fast-track" membership in September 2022.
Nato boss Jens Stoltenberg has told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in "the long-term"Nato boss Jens Stoltenberg has told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in "the long-term"
Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine joining Nato, fearing it would bring the alliance's forces too close to its own territory.Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine joining Nato, fearing it would bring the alliance's forces too close to its own territory.
Kyiv accepts it cannot join Nato while it is at war with Russia, but wants to join as soon as possible after fighting ends. President Zelensky accepts that his country cannot join Nato while it is at war with Russia, but wants to join as soon as possible after fighting ends.
Since July 2023, the Nato-Ukraine Council has coordinated efforts to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.Since July 2023, the Nato-Ukraine Council has coordinated efforts to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Ukraine wants more than warm words over joining NatoUkraine wants more than warm words over joining Nato
How much do Nato members spend on defence?
Nato asks member states to spend at least 2% of their national income on defence.
The US spends nearly 3.5% and countries which border Russia - such as Poland and the Baltic Republics - also spend more than 2% on their armed forces.
UK spending is just above the 2% target.
However, countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain spent less than the target in 2023.
However, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg says there was an "unprecedented rise" in several members' defence spending in 2023.
Mr Stoltenberg expects 18 Nato countries to meet or exceed the 2% target in 2024, compared with only three in 2014.
Poland boosts defence spending over war in Ukraine
Macron plans big boost for French defence budget
Biden slams Trump criticism of Nato as 'shameful'
What weapons are Nato countries giving Ukraine?What weapons are Nato countries giving Ukraine?
As a group, Nato has not sent weapons to Ukraine, but several individual member countries have done so. As a group, Nato has not sent weapons to Ukraine, but several individual member countries have.
The US, UK, Germany and Turkey have provided anti-tank weapons, missile defence systems, artillery guns, tanks and military drones.The US, UK, Germany and Turkey have provided anti-tank weapons, missile defence systems, artillery guns, tanks and military drones.
The US and UK have also supplied long-range missiles.The US and UK have also supplied long-range missiles.
The US is supplying long-range ATACMS missiles to UkraineThe US is supplying long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine
The US has let Nato countries offer its fighter jets, such as F-16s, to Ukraine, and teach pilots how to fly them. The US is allowing two Nato countries, Denmark and the Netherlands, to transfer US-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, once pilots have been trained to fly them.
The Netherlands said it may soon deliver 18 F-16 jets. Ukrainian media say the first planes could arrive in spring 2024.
However, Nato countries are not sending troops to Ukraine, or using their air forces to impose a no-fly zone over the region, because that could provoke a direct conflict with Russia. However, Nato countries have not sent troops to Ukraine, and ruled out using their air forces to impose a no-fly zone over the country, because of fears such action could provoke a direct conflict with Russia.
Since December, US politicians have failed to agree new funding for military aid for Ukraine. However, the UK government has pledged £2.5bn. US releases last military aid for Ukraine for now
Ukraine not alone says Sunak as UK pledges £2.5bn
What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?
How is Nato increasing its defences against Russia?How is Nato increasing its defences against Russia?
In 2023, Nato commanders agreed detailed plans for countering possible Russian attacks in the Arctic and north Atlantic, central Europe, or the Mediterranean region.In 2023, Nato commanders agreed detailed plans for countering possible Russian attacks in the Arctic and north Atlantic, central Europe, or the Mediterranean region.
In February 2024, Nato will stage one of its largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War.
The Steadfast Defender exercise in Eastern Europe will involve 90,000 personnel from all 31 Nato countries plus Sweden. The UK is sending 20,000 personnel.
Nato previously announced plans to increase the number of its troops in Europe on high alert from 40,000 to more than 300,000.Nato previously announced plans to increase the number of its troops in Europe on high alert from 40,000 to more than 300,000.
It has also bolstered its defences on its eastern flank, bordering Russia.It has also bolstered its defences on its eastern flank, bordering Russia.
There are currently eight battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Baltic Republics. Before the war in Ukraine, there were four.There are currently eight battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Baltic Republics. Before the war in Ukraine, there were four.
Nato countries have also been increasing their military budgets. What is the Steadfast Defender exercise?
Several are now spending more than 2% of their national incomes on defence - which Nato says is a minimum. However, many countries are spending less than this. In February 2024, Nato is staging one of its largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War.
The Steadfast Defender operation in Eastern Europe involves 90,000 personnel from all 31 Nato countries plus Sweden.
The UK is sending 20,000 personnel and is shipping 600 military vehicles to the continent.
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Hundreds of people lined the shoreline to watch HMS Prince of Wales depart for the exercise
Hundreds of people lined the shoreline to watch HMS Prince of Wales depart for the exercise
The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is taking part, replacing HMS Queen Elizabeth, which broke down ahead of its planned departure.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
War in UkraineWar in Ukraine
TurkeyTurkey
SwedenSweden
RussiaRussia
NatoNato
FinlandFinland
United StatesUnited States
UkraineUkraine
HungaryHungary