Path to NATO Membership

NATO members have agreed to invite Sweden and Finland to join the military alliance, reinforcing its eastern front with Russia after Turkey dropped its opposition to the Nordic countries’ bids NATO members


Canada
U.S.
Iceland

Ireland
UK
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Portugal
Spain
Belgium
France
Norwegian Sea
North Sea
Denmark 
Ned.
Germany 
Lux.
Switz. 
Aus.
Slovenia
Italy
Montenegro
Mediterranean Sea
Norway
Sweden 
Finland
Baltic Sea
Poland
Czech Rep.
Hungary
Romania
Croatia
Bulgaria
Albania 
North Macedonia
Greece
500km 300 miles
RUSSIA

Finland: Plans to build barrier along 1,300km frontier with Russia

Estonia 
Latvia
Lithuania 
Kaliningrad (Russia)
Belarus
UKRAINE  
Slovakia
Black Sea
Crimea Annexed in 2014
Turkey


May 18: Sweden and Finland apply to join NATO

Jun 28: Turkey lifts opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO. Leaders sign goodwill memorandum brokered by NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg (right)

North Atlantic Council: Considers whether to move forward with accession

Membership Action Plan: Programme helps nations prepare for membership

Accession protocols: NATO prepares changes to founding Washington Treaty – NATO officials are pushing to fast-track process in six months

Ratification: All 30 NATO members must ratify accession protocols

Membership: Secretary General Stoltenberg invites Sweden and Finland to join alliance


Sources: Bloomberg, NATO, Reuters
Picture: Getty Images 
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