Explanation

Finland become the 31st member of Nato after Turkey’s parliament voted to approve its application. Turkey had delayed Finland’s bid to join the West’s defensive alliance for months – complaining the Nordic nation was supporting “terrorists”. Sweden, which applied to join Nato at the same time last May, is still being blocked by Ankara over similar complaints. Any Nato expansion needs the support of all its members. Finland will now be formally admitted into Nato at its next summit, taking place in July in Lithuania.