Has Putin’s war backfired? A year after the war in Ukraine began, Finland has become the latest country to join Nato.
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'Historic' day for Europe as Finns join Nato
Has Putin's war backfired? A year after the war in Ukraine began, Finland has become the latest country to join Nato.
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<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
Yesterday morning, at the NatoThe North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in 1949 to unite Western democracies in Europe and North America against the perceived growing threat of the USSR. It now has 31 members. buildings in BrusselsThe capital of Belgium., 30 flags flew in the high winds. Now there are 31.
One year after the war in UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. began, FinlandA country of 5 million people on the Baltic Sea. t has been independent since 1917. has joined Nato.
Nato stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Member countries agree that they will protect each other if they are attacked. It began in 1949, when countries feared attacks by the USSRThe United Socialist Soviet Republic, the USA's main rival in the Cold War before it collapsed and broke up into a number of smaller states in 1991..
Finland was invaded by RussiaThe largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people. in 1939. Russia took control of some of its land - land that is still largely controlled by Russia today.
Since then, Finland has chosen not to take sides during disagreements between Russia and the USA. Finns worried that Russia would attack if they became closer to Nato.
But the invasion of Ukraine, another non-Nato country, in February 2022 changed everything. Afterwards, four in five Finns said their country would be safer as part of Nato.
Some say this is bad news for Russia's leader Vladimir Putin - he wanted to stop Nato getting bigger, but it now has.
Others say he will not mind. Putin, they say, does not really worry about Nato getting bigger. In fact, he can use it to say that his war is right because he needs to protect Russia from the West.
Yes! Finland used to try and stay in between Russia and the USA. Now, it is on the side of the West.
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
No! Putin cares more about Russia's relationship with its neighbour China than Finland. Finland joining Nato will help him convincePersuade someone to do something. Russians that the war is needed.
Nato - The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in 1949 to unite Western democracies in Europe and North America against the perceived growing threat of the USSR. It now has 31 members.
Brussels - The capital of Belgium.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Finland - A country of 5 million people on the Baltic Sea. t has been independent since 1917.
USSR - The United Socialist Soviet Republic, the USA's main rival in the Cold War before it collapsed and broke up into a number of smaller states in 1991.
Russia - The largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people.
Convince - Persuade someone to do something.
‘Historic’ day for Europe as Finns join Nato
Historic: Finland joined the alliance on the 74th anniversary of its founding in 1949. Glossary
Nato - The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in 1949 to unite Western democracies in Europe and North America against the perceived growing threat of the USSR. It now has 31 members.
Brussels - The capital of Belgium.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Finland - A country of 5 million people on the Baltic Sea. t has been independent since 1917.
USSR - The United Socialist Soviet Republic, the USA’s main rival in the Cold War before it collapsed and broke up into a number of smaller states in 1991.
Russia - The largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people.
Convince - Persuade someone to do something.