What is NATO and which countries are members?

Ukraine will be joining the organization (Picture: Getty Images)

NATO allies have confirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the organsisation when the war with Russia has ended.

Secretary general Jens Stoltenbery confirmed the news ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group at Ramstein air base in Germany, saying that once the war in Ukraine ends, Kyiv must have ‘the deterrence to prevent new attacks’.

It comes after Mr Stoltenberg pledged to continue supporting the country during his first visit to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion just over a year ago.

Some people may be wondering what NATO is, and which countries are members.

Here’s all you need to know.

What is NATO?

NATO – which stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – is a military alliance between countries from Europe and North America.

NATO was formed in 1949 (Picture: Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

It was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the UK, US, Canada and France.

Its aim was originally to counter the threat of post-war Russian expansion in Europe.

Fast-forward to 2022, among other goals, NATO aims to prevent conflict, with the website stating that it is ‘committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes’.

Members agree to come to one another’s aid in the event of an armed attack against anyone-member state.

NATO’s headquarters are based in Brussels, Belgium.

Which other countries are currently part of NATO?

NATO has expanded over the years, and currently consists of 31 countries.

The members, along with the years that they joined, are as follows:

Albania (2009)

Belgium (1949)

Bulgaria (2004)

Canada (1949)

Croatia (2009)

Czech Republic (1999)

Denmark (1949)

Estonia (2004)

Finland (2023)

France (1949)

Germany (1955)

Greece (1952)

Hungary (1999)

Iceland (1949)

Italy (1949)

Latvia (2004)

Lithuania (2004)

Luxembourg (1949)

Montenegro (2017)

Netherlands (1949)

North Macedonia (2020)

Norway (1949)

Poland (1999)

Portugal (1949)

Romania (2004)

Slovakia (2004)

Slovenia (2004)

Spain (1982)

Turkey (1952)

United Kingdom (1949)

United States (1949).

In total, member states have more than three million personnel, in addition to bountiful arsenals of missiles, jets, fleets, and other weaponry.

Although NATO hasn’t sent troops into Ukraine, it has deployed thousands of troops to Eastern Europe to protect fellow alliance members that neighbour the country.

The organisation is also providing strategic advice to Ukraine.

Can new members join NATO?

When NATO launched back in 1949, the treaty organisation only had 12 members. Over the years, it has welcomed numerous new member states.

NATO’S current secretary general is Jens Stoltenberg (Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)

The most recent member nation to be added was North Macedonia, which joined on March 27, 2020.

The NATO website states that membership is open to ‘any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area’.

Sweden and Finland are currently in the process of becoming members, having applied back in May in the wake of the Russia/Ukraine war.

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Why does Russia not want Ukraine to join NATO?

Ukraine’s membership aspirations have been a major driving force behind the rising tensions between NATO and Russia. Its first application to join the military alliance was submitted in 2008.

In a press conference held in February 2022, Putin summarised his frustrations, saying: ‘I want to stress it one more time. I’ve been saying it, but I’d very much want you to finally hear me, and to deliver it to your audience in print, TV and online.

‘Do you understand it or not, that if Ukraine joins NATO and attempts to bring Crimea back by military means, the European countries will be automatically pulled into a war conflict with Russia?’

As Ukraine shares a border with Russia, President Putin wants to prevent it from joining NATO – and thus bringing it right into his own backyard.

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There are currently 31 NATO members.