What is Nato and which countries are members?

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US President Joe Biden criticised Donald Trump's recent comments about Nato as "dumb" and "shameful".

The former president told an election rally that he would encourage Russia to attack Nato countries which failed to meet the organisation's spending target.

Nato, which is a military alliance of countries in Europe and North America, has been recruiting new members and bolstering its defences following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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 then Soviet Union - a group of states which included Russia.

Members agree that if one of them is attacked, the other nations should help it defend itself.

Nato does not have an army of its own, but member countries can take collective military action in response to crises. They also coordinate military plans and carry out joint military exercises.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Nato said that it posed the "most significant and direct threat to allies' security".

Which countries are Nato members?

Nato has 31 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. The two countries feared for their security.

Finland - which has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia - became a Nato member in April 2023.

Sweden only needs Hungary's parliament to approve its membership.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia also want to join.

How Sweden and Finland went from neutral to Nato

When will Ukraine join Nato?

Nato has said that Ukraine can become a member, but has not confirmed when.

It refused Ukrainian President Zelensky's request for "fast-track" membership in September 2022.

Nato boss Jens Stoltenberg has told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can join in "the long-term"

Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine joining Nato, fearing it would bring the alliance's forces too close to its own territory.

President Zelensky accepts that his country cannot join Nato while it is at war with Russia, but wants to join as soon as possible after fighting ends.

Since July 2023, the Nato-Ukraine Council has coordinated efforts to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

Ukraine wants more than warm words over joining Nato

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 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.

However, countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain spent less than the target in 2023.

However, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg says there was an "unprecedented rise" in several members' defence spending in 2023.

Mr Stoltenberg expects 18 Nato countries to meet or exceed the 2% target in 2024, compared with only three in 2014.

Biden slams Trump criticism of Nato as 'shameful'

How much do Nato members spend on defence?

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.

The US is supplying long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine

The US is allowing two Nato countries, Denmark and the Netherlands, to transfer US-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, once pilots have been trained to fly them.

Ukrainian media say the first planes could arrive in spring 2024.

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.

US releases last military aid for Ukraine for now

Ukraine not alone says Sunak as UK pledges £2.5bn

What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine?

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.

Nato previously announced plans to increase the number of its troops in Europe on high alert from 40,000 to more than 300,000.

It has also bolstered its defences on its eastern flank, bordering Russia.

There are currently eight battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Baltic Republics. Before the war in Ukraine, there were four.

What is the Steadfast Defender exercise?

In February 2024, Nato is staging one of its largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War.

The Steadfast Defender operation in Eastern Europe involves 90,000 personnel from all 31 Nato countries plus Sweden.

The UK is sending 20,000 personnel and is shipping 600 military vehicles to the continent.

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Hundreds of people lined the shoreline to watch HMS Prince of Wales depart for the exercise

The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is taking part, replacing HMS Queen Elizabeth, which broke down ahead of its planned departure.