Solidified as a sovereign nation in 2008, the European Union consists of every former European nation, excluding Russia and Belarus (who Joined Russia) while Switzerland remained true to their principle of neutrality,. A loose federation of states, the EU's official capitol currently resides in Brussels. Some of compared the EU to a Fourth Roman Empire, though many would be hard pressed to make the comparison beyond capitol and landmass. The EU is a parliamentary democracy with direct election of representatives and of the Prime Minister, and the central government has far less control over its territories than the US does over its states. The EU is currently without nuclear weapons, though much of mainland Europe's power comes from nuclear reactors.