What is Nato and why has Sweden joined? – BBC News
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Sweden has joined Nato, the military alliance of countries in Europe and North America.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Nato has admitted Sweden and Finland as new members and has also been bolstering its defences in eastern Europe.
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.
Its aim was to block expansion by the Soviet Union – a group of communist states which included Russia.
Which countries are Nato members?
Nato now has 32 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.
Sweden and Finland applied to join in May 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They had been neutral for decades.
Finland – which has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia – joined in April 2023.
Turkey said Sweden had been giving refuge to members of groups such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which it considers a terrorist organisation. However, it decided to back Sweden’s membership in January.
With Sweden and Finland joining Nato, it is seeing its biggest expansion since the 1990s. They will add nearly 300,000 active and reserve troops to the alliance’s ranks.
Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia also hope to join Nato.
When will Ukraine join Nato?
Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has said it is “inevitable” that Ukraine will become a member, but not until its war with Russia ends.
President Zelensky has asked for Ukraine to be admitted as soon as possible afterwards.
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Nato boss Jens Stoltenberg has told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in “the long-term”
Since July 2023, the Nato-Ukraine Council has coordinated efforts to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine joining Nato, fearing it would bring the alliance’s forces too close to its own territory.
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 several 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.
What weapons are Nato countries giving Ukraine?
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 and UK have also supplied long-range missiles.
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The US is supplying long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine
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.
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.
Until the end of May, Nato is staging Steadfast Defender, one of its largest ever military exercises, involving 90,000 personnel from all Nato countries – including Sweden.
Hundreds of people lined the shoreline to watch HMS Prince of Wales depart for the exercise
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