<P> The permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (also known as the Permanent Five, Big Five, or P5) are the five states which the UN Charter of 1945 grants a permanent seat on the UN Security Council . </P> <Ul> <Li> China (formerly the Republic of China) </Li> <Li> France </Li> <Li> Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) </Li> <Li> United Kingdom </Li> <Li> United States </Li> </Ul> <Li> China (formerly the Republic of China) </Li>

5 countries of the united states security council