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NATO, the Western military organization, is allowing more countries to join.
It is also strengthening its defense capabilities in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
What is NATO? When was it founded?
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization – was founded in 1949 by 12 countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and France.
Its purpose was to prevent expansion by the Soviet Union, a group of states that included Russia.
Which countries are NATO members?
NATO has 31 member states in Europe and North America.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many Eastern European countries joined, including Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden and Finland applied to join due to concerns for their own security.
Finland, which has a land border of 1,340 km (832 miles) with Russia, joined in April 2022.
Sweden’s membership has not yet been formally recognized by two NATO members, Turkey and Hungary.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia also hope to participate.
When will Ukraine join NATO?
NATO has said Ukraine could join, but has not said when.
Japan has refused to join the Fast Track program in September 2022.
Russia has opposed the idea of Ukraine joining NATO, fearing that it would bring allied forces too close to its territory.
Since July 2023, the NATO-Ukraine Council has been coordinating efforts to help Ukraine protect itself from Russia.
What weapons are NATO countries providing Ukraine?
NATO as a group has not sent weapons to Ukraine, but several member states have.
The United States, Britain, Germany and Turkey provide anti-tank weapons, missile defense systems, artillery, tanks and military drones.
The United States and Britain also supply long-range missiles.
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The US is supplying Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles
However, NATO countries have not sent troops or used their air forces to impose a no-fly zone on Ukraine, as this could spark a direct conflict with Russia.
How is NATO strengthening its defenses against Russia?
In 2023, NATO commanders agreed to a detailed plan to counter a possible Russian attack in the Arctic, North Atlantic, Central Europe and the Mediterranean.
In February 2024, NATO will conduct the largest military exercise since the end of the Cold War.
The Steadfast Defender exercise in Eastern Europe will involve 90,000 participants from all 31 NATO countries and Sweden. Britain is sending 20,000 personnel.
Defenses on the eastern side bordering Russia were also strengthened.
There are eight combat groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and the Baltic States. There were four before the Ukraine war.
A growing number of countries now spend more than 2% of their national income on defense, but NATO insists this is a minimum. However, spending in many countries has declined.