Since Russian forces initially entered the country in February 2022, the invasion of Ukraine has sparked a worldwide outcry of disdain and sanctions against the Kremlin. France, Italy, Germany, the US, and other European nations have all publically denounced Putin and his army for the continued assault. Boris Johnson, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, even convened an urgent COBRA meeting to examine how Britain will assist Ukraine in its hour of need. As frenzied images of destruction, casualties, and Ukrainian refugees play out in the international media, people all around the world are eager to understand how to give to Ukraine and aid its residents.
Many news stories mention the NATO organization in connection with war reports, leaving some people still trying to understand what justified the invasion in the first place. We cover everything you need to know about the global alliance and how the Russian invasion is related.
Meaning NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or Nato, was established in Washington, DC, in April 1949. It is often referred to as the North Atlantic Alliance. The goal of NATO is to protect its members’ independence and security by political and military methods. Brussels, Belgium, is home to its corporate headquarters.
Politically, it aspires to advance democratic ideas and gives members the opportunity to collaborate and discuss on defense and security-related matters in order to solve conflicts, foster trust, and, ultimately, avert conflict.
NATO declares that it is “committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes” with regard to armed action.
It possesses the military might to conduct crisis-management operations if diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful.
It makes use of a collective security system in which its independent member states consent to mutual defense in the event of an attack from any outside entity. It might also join forces with outside armies.
List of NATO Nations And Members
The nations that make up NATO are listed below along with their capitals, the year they joined, and their total land area:
| Country | Capital | Year Joined | Area |
| Albania | Tirana | 1 April 2009 | 28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi) |
| Belgium | Brussels | 24 August 1949 | 30,528 km2 (11,787 sq mi) |
| Bulgaria | Sofia | 29 March 2004 | 110,879 km2 (42,811 sq mi) |
| Canada | Ottawa | August 24, 1949 | 9,984,670 km2 (3,855,103 sq mi) |
| Croatia | Zagreb | 1 April 2009 | 56,594 km2 (21,851 sq mi) |
| Czech Republic | Prague | 12 March 1999 | 78,867 km2 (30,451 sq mi) |
| Denmark | Copenhagen | 24 August 1949 | 42,943 km2 (16,580 sq mi) |
| Estonia | Tallinn | 29 March 2004 | 45,228 km2 (17,463 sq mi) |
| France | Paris | 24 August 1949[b] | 643,427 km2 (248,429 sq mi) |
| Germany | Berlin | 8 May 1955 | 357,022 km2 (137,847 sq mi) |
| Greece | Athens | 18 February 1952 | 131,957 km2 (50,949 sq mi) |
| Hungary | Budapest | 12 March 1999 | 93,028 km2 (35,918 sq mi) |
| Iceland | Reykjavík | 24 August 1949 | 103,000 km2 (39,769 sq mi) |
| Italy | Rome | 24 August 1949 | 301,340 km2 (116,348 sq mi) |
| Latvia | Riga | 29 March 2004 | 64,589 km2 (24,938 sq mi) |
| Lithuania | Vilnius | 29 March 2004 | 65,300 km2 (25,212 sq mi) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg | 24 August 1949 | 2,586 km2 (998 sq mi) |
| Montenegro | Podgorica | 5 June 2017 | 13,812 km2 (5,333 sq mi) |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam | 24 August 1949 | 41,543 km2 (16,040 sq mi) |
| North Macedonia | Skopje | 27 March 2020 | 25,713 km2 (9,928 sq mi) |
| Norway | Oslo | 24 August 1949 | 323,802 km2 (125,021 sq mi) |
| Poland | Warsaw | 12 March 1999 | 312,685 km2 (120,728 sq mi) |
| Portugal | Lisbon | 24 August 1949 | 92,090 km2 (35,556 sq mi) |
| Romania | Bucharest | 29 March 2004 | 238,391 km2 (92,043 sq mi) |
| Slovakia | Bratislava | 29 March 2004 | 49,035 km2 (18,933 sq mi) |
| Slovenia | Ljubljana | 29 March 2004 | 20,273 km2 (7,827 sq mi) |
| Spain | Madrid | 30 May 1982 | 505,370 km2 (195,124 sq mi) |
| Turkey | Ankara | 18 February 1952 | 783,562 km2 (302,535 sq mi) |
| United Kingdom | London | 24 August 1949 | 243,610 km2 (94,058 sq mi) |
| United States | Washington, D.C. | 24 August 1949 | 9,833,520 km2 (3,796,743 sq mi) |
What Number of Nations Comprise NATO?
A total of 30 nations make up NATO’s membership. North Macedonia will become the final nation to join NATO on March 27, 2020. The alliance claims to have an open-door policy toward nations seeking to join. To become a member, individuals must be prepared to fulfill a number of requirements.
Who is NATO’s Supreme Commander?
Jens Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, is the current head of NATO. The 62-year-old former prime minister assumed the position of NATO Secretary-General in October 2014, and he will hold that position through September 2022.
Why does Russia oppose Ukraine’s membership in NATO?
It is well known that due to Ukraine’s close proximity to Russia, Russia opposes its membership in NATO. NATO, which is primarily composed of Western nations, could be considered as a danger to the strength of Eastern Europe. Additionally, the inclusion of former USSR states like Ukraine in the alliance only increases this potential threat.
According to Jeremy Bender of Business Insider, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has political reservations about NATO.
He said:
“For Putin, the peeling away of countries from Russia towards NATO comes as both an existential threat and a personal insult,” he says. “As a former agent in the KGB and an avowed nationalist, Putin has dreams of resurrecting the glories of Imperial Russia — a goal that is seriously hampered by the inclusion of what Putin would deem rightful Russian lands, such as the Baltics, into the NATO alliance.”