Nato: Sweden and Finland formally submit applications
- Published
Jenny explains what Sweden and Finland wanting to join Nato means
Sweden and Finland have formally submitted their applications to become members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).
Nato is a group of countries, which includes the UK and US, which promise to defend each other if they are attacked.
The organisation's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said it was "an historic moment, which we must seize", adding that the Nordic countries' membership would increase shared security.
Experts say the decision made by Sweden and Finland is one of the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Why are Finland and Sweden important?
Finland shares a border with Russia and hopes to join Nato, a group of countries - which include the UK - that defend each other if they are attacked. Sweden is also likely to join too
Both countries have been neutral for many years, which means that they don't pick sides or get involved in military action.
Sweden stayed neutral in World War II (WW2) and for more than two centuries has avoided joining military alliances.
Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. Until now, it has stayed out of Nato.
But public support in Sweden and Finland for joining Nato has grown since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Nato stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
It is an international organisation which brings together the armies of various countries, including the UK, the United States and France.
It was formed by 12 countries in 1949, four years after the Second World War (WW2).
Why is this a big deal?
The decision to apply to join Nato was made by these two prime ministers: Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and Finland's Sanna Marin
Since World War Two Finland and Sweden have stayed out of conflicts.
Finland and Russia are neighbours and in recent history the countries have lived and worked together well. They do lots of business together and many Russians visit Finland on holiday.
However, because they have a long border with Russia, just like Ukraine, Finns have began to worry if an invasion could happen to them too.
It also reminds them of their history. In 1939 the Soviet Union, which at the time was made up of Russia and other eastern European countries, invaded Finland it what was called the Winter War.
Finland held out until March 1940 but lost its eastern province of Karelia to Russia during WW2
The Finnish army fought back but it lost 10% of its territory to Russia after signing a peace treaty.
So the war in Ukraine, has reminded many Finns of their past and Finnish public support for joining Nato has increased from 20-25% to 76%.
Many Finns and Swedes think joining the group of countries will keep them safe during what is an uncertain time in Europe.
What has Russia said?
WATCH: Who is Vladimir Putin? (February 2022)
Historically, Russia and countries that are part of Nato have not always got on and Russia sees Nato as a threat to its security.
Seeing lots of neighbouring countries that border Russia join Nato was one of the excuses that President Putin gave for invading Ukraine - which Russia feared was planning to join Nato, although they denied it.
Russia has now issued warnings to Finland and Sweden that it will face consequences if it joins Nato.
It has threatened "a military technical responses" if both countries do join the group but it's unclear what that will mean in reality.
What might happen next?
Both Sweden and Finland have increased their military budget in recent years
In order to join Nato, countries must be democracies, treat minorities fairly and promise to resolve conflicts peacefully.
They must also provide military support to the alliance and spend a certain amount every year on defence.
Sweden and Finland are currently being welcomed by most of the 30 existing countries in Nato - who all must agree that a new country can join.
However, Turkey is opposing either country joining the pact.
- Published9 May 2022
- Published8 March 2024
- Published24 February 2022
