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Context

• Finland's president and Prime Minister (PM) called for the country to apply for NATO membership "without delay". It comes amid a surge in public support for NATO membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. Until now, it has stayed out of NATO to avoid antagonising its eastern neighbour. Russia has said it will be forced to take "retaliatory steps" over its neighbour Finland's move to join NATO.

About NATO

• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military alliance created in 1949.
• Aim: to provide collective security against Soviet expansionism and to encourage European political integration in the aftermath of World War II.
• It serves as a collective security system, wherein its member states agree to mutually defend any attack on a member party.
• Membership: 30 countries are currently part of NATO. Two countries in North America and 28 European countries, including several former Soviet nations.

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