NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance created to protect the freedom and security of its member countries. It started in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union’s threat during the Cold War. The main idea behind NATO is collective defense, which means if one member is attacked, it’s seen as an attack on all members.
In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, significantly changing Europe’s security situation. This event led to a surge in support for NATO membership among countries that were previously neutral. Following the invasion, Finland and Sweden joined NATO.