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What is Nato, which countries are members and will they increase defence spending? What is Nato, why isn't Ukraine a member and what has Trump said?
(about 1 month later)
US President-elect Donald Trump has called on Nato's European members to spend 5% of their national incomes on defence. US President Donald Trump has said it is unlikely Ukraine will join Nato, the military alliance.
That is more than double the military alliance's current target of 2%. The remarks came as Trump said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte has also told member countries to boost military spending as part of a new "wartime mindset". US defence secretary Pete Hesgeth called on Nato's European members to spend much more on defence, saying they would have to provide the "overwhelming" share of military funding for Ukraine.
Hegseth sets out hard line on European defence and Nato
Hegseth sets out hard line on European defence and Nato
What is Nato and why was it set up?What is Nato and why was it set up?
Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - was formed in Washington DC in 1949 by 12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the US.Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - was formed in Washington DC in 1949 by 12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the US.
Nato was founded in Washington DC in April 1949Nato was founded in Washington DC in April 1949
Nato was founded in Washington DC in April 1949Nato was founded in Washington DC in April 1949
Nato's primary purpose, external was to block expansion in Europe by the former Soviet Union - a group of communist republics which included Russia.Nato's primary purpose, external was to block expansion in Europe by the former Soviet Union - a group of communist republics which included Russia.
Members agree that if one of them is attacked, the others should help defend it., externalMembers agree that if one of them is attacked, the others should help defend it., external
Nato does not have its own army, but member states can take collective military action in response to crises.Nato does not have its own army, but member states can take collective military action in response to crises.
For instance, the body supported the UN by intervening in the war in the former Yugoslavia between 1992 and 2004.For instance, the body supported the UN by intervening in the war in the former Yugoslavia between 1992 and 2004.
It also co-ordinates military plans and carries out joint military exercises., externalIt also co-ordinates military plans and carries out joint military exercises., external
Which countries are Nato members?Which countries are Nato members?
Nato has 32 members across Europe and North America - the original 12 founders plus 20 countries which have joined since 1949.Nato has 32 members across Europe and North America - the original 12 founders plus 20 countries which have joined since 1949.
After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, many Eastern European countries became members, including 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 became members, including Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Finland - which has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia - joined in April 2023. Sweden became a member in March 2024.Finland - which has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia - joined in April 2023. Sweden became a member in March 2024.
Having been neutral for decades, both applied to Nato in May 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.Having been neutral for decades, both applied to Nato in May 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia have also asked to join.Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia have also asked to join.
Why isn't Ukraine a Nato member?Why isn't Ukraine a Nato member?
Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine becoming a member, fearing it would bring Nato forces too close to its borders.Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine becoming a member, fearing it would bring Nato forces too close to its borders.
However, in 2008, the alliance said that Ukraine could eventually join, external.However, in 2008, the alliance said that Ukraine could eventually join, external.
Former Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in "the long-term"Former Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in "the long-term"
Former Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in "the long-term"Former Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in "the long-term"
After Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for this process to be fast-tracked.After Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for this process to be fast-tracked.
Although then Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg reconfirmed Ukraine could join "in the long term", he said this would not happen until after the war ended. Former Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine could join "in the long term" but not until after the war ended.
However, speaking at a defence summit in Brussels in February, Hegseth said "the US does not believe that Nato membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement".
Some Nato defence chiefs have pushed back.
German defence minister Boris Pistorius said "he regretted" the decision to rule out Ukraine joining Nato without a wider discussion. Sweden's defence minister Pal Jonson insisted membership was "not off the table".
Live: Trump not betraying Ukraine by seeking peace deal with Putin, US defence secretary says
Live: Trump not betraying Ukraine by seeking peace deal with Putin, US defence secretary says
Frank Gardner: Trump-Putin call lowers the temperature but at Ukraine's expense
Frank Gardner: Trump-Putin call lowers the temperature but at Ukraine's expense
How much do Nato members spend on defence?How much do Nato members spend on defence?
Nato currently asks every member country to spend at least 2% of national income - also known as GDP - on defence. In January, Trump urged Nato's European members to spend 5% of their national income on defence, external, telling reporters: "They can all afford it."
Hegseth has echoed this call, saying the US would no longer "tolerate an imbalanced relationship" with its allies.
Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte has also urged member states to boost their defence spending.
The alliance currently asks countries to spend at least 2% of national income - also known as GDP.
It is thought that 23 countries met that target in 2024, compared to only three in 2014.It is thought that 23 countries met that target in 2024, compared to only three in 2014.
The countries which spend the largest share of GDP on defence are the US and those close to Russia, such as Poland and the Baltic states.The countries which spend the largest share of GDP on defence are the US and those close to Russia, such as Poland and the Baltic states.
In July 2024, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK will increase its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that the UK will increase its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.
In December 2024, Nato secretary general Rutte said that member states would have to "shift to a wartime mindset" and spend "considerably more than 2%" on defence, external.
During his first term as US president, Trump persuaded many Nato members to increase defence spending. In 2018 he said that all countries in the alliance should be committing 4% of GDP.
At a press conference at his Florida home in January 2025, Trump urged Nato's European members to spend 5%, external, telling reporters: "They can all afford it."
While campaigning for his second presidential term, Trump said he might encourage Russia to attack Nato countries which failed to spend enough, remarks which were strongly condemned by the White House and former Nato chief Stoltenberg.
How much do Nato members spend on defence?How much do Nato members spend on defence?
How much do Nato members spend on defence?How much do Nato members spend on defence?
How are Nato countries helping Ukraine?How are Nato countries helping Ukraine?
Nato said Russia's invasion of Ukraine posed the "most significant and direct threat to allies' security"., external Nato has described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the "most significant and direct threat to allies' security"., external
The alliance has not sent troops to Ukraine or enforced a no-fly zone over the country for fear of being pulled into a direct conflict with Russia.The alliance has not sent troops to Ukraine or enforced a no-fly zone over the country for fear of being pulled into a direct conflict with Russia.
However, individual member states have supplied arms and equipment.However, individual member states have supplied arms and equipment.
German research organisation the Kiel Institute, external said that the US had allocated 59.9bn euros (£49.7bn) for military support to Ukraine between February 2022 and October 2024. German research organisation the Kiel Institute, external said that under former President Joe Biden, the US had allocated 59.9bn euros (£49.7bn) for military support to Ukraine between February 2022 and October 2024.
European Nato members provided 52.6bn euros (£43.7bn) over the same period.European Nato members provided 52.6bn euros (£43.7bn) over the same period.
The US, UK, Germany and Turkey and others have sent anti-tank weapons, missile defence systems such as Patriot, artillery guns, tanks and drones.The US, UK, Germany and Turkey and others have sent anti-tank weapons, missile defence systems such as Patriot, artillery guns, tanks and drones.
The US, UK and France have also supplied long-range missiles such as Atacms and Storm Shadow/Scalp.The US, UK and France have also supplied long-range missiles such as Atacms and Storm Shadow/Scalp.
Atacms missiles can reach up to 300km (186 miles) and are hard to intercept due to their high speedAtacms missiles can reach up to 300km (186 miles) and are hard to intercept due to their high speed
Atacms missiles can reach up to 300km (186 miles) and are hard to intercept due to their high speedAtacms missiles can reach up to 300km (186 miles) and are hard to intercept due to their high speed
In August 2024, Ukraine received two US-made F16 fighter jets - the first of more than 60 pledged by Nato member states.In August 2024, Ukraine received two US-made F16 fighter jets - the first of more than 60 pledged by Nato member states.
Since November 2024, the US and UK have allowed Ukraine to use their missiles to hit targets within Russian territory.Since November 2024, the US and UK have allowed Ukraine to use their missiles to hit targets within Russian territory.
Hegseth has suggested the US will significantly scale back its support for Ukraine, and that European nations will have to provide the majority of military aid.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK had "heard a clear message from the US about stepping up and we are". He highlighted a new £150m package which includes drones, tanks and air defence systems.
What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?
What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?
Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with RussiaUkraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia
Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with RussiaUkraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia
How is Nato increasing its defences against Russia?
In January and February 2025, Nato forces will take part in a military exercise called Steadfast Dart 25, external in Bulgaria and Romania, led by a UK army division.
Troops will practise how to reinforce the alliance's eastern borders ahead of an enemy attack, external.
In 2023, Nato's commanders agreed detailed plans for countering possible Russian attacks anywhere in the Arctic, the North Atlantic, Eastern Europe or the Mediterranean Sea region.
It increased the number of troops in Europe on high alert from 40,000 to more than 300,000, and bolstered its defences on Russia's borders with eight battlegroups, external.
Nato plans huge upgrade in rapid reaction forceNato plans huge upgrade in rapid reaction force
Nato plans huge upgrade in rapid reaction forceNato plans huge upgrade in rapid reaction force
Related topicsRelated topics
War in UkraineWar in Ukraine
Mark RutteMark Rutte
Volodymyr ZelenskyVolodymyr Zelensky
Keir StarmerKeir Starmer
SwedenSweden
RussiaRussia
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
NatoNato
FinlandFinland
United StatesUnited States
UkraineUkraine