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Bush Backs Ukraine's NATO Bid

President's support sure to irk Russia

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 1, 2008 8:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Bush today declared his unequivocal support for the entry of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, a position sure to anger Russia, Reuters notes. “Your nation has made a bold decision, and the United States strongly supports your request,” Bush said, flanked by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. But both former Soviet states are expected to be blocked by French and German opposition.

Bush said it was a “misperception” that he might trade his Ukraine support in exchange for Russian acceptance of a missile defense system in Eastern Europe. “There's no tradeoffs. Period,” the president said. Russia is lobbying hard against both states, saying NATO’s expansion into former Soviet territory impinges on Russia’s sphere of influence.

Visiting U.S. President George W. Bush, left, and Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, right, toast during a luncheon at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Visiting U.S. President George W. Bush, left, and Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, right, toast during a luncheon at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Presidential Press Service, Mykhailo Markiv, Pool)
President George Bush speaks during a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, not pictured, at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Ukraine Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
President George Bush speaks during a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, not pictured, at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Ukraine Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
U.S. President George Bush, second left, speaks to Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Ukraine Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
U.S. President George Bush, second left, speaks to Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Ukraine Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Presidential Press Service, Anatoliy Medzyk, Pool)
U.S. President George Bush, left, shaks hands with Ukrainian opposition leader former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Ukraine Tuesday, April 1, 2008. President Yushchenko said Tuesday that Ukraine has the full support of the United States for his nation to begin the process toward...
U.S. President George Bush, left, shaks hands with Ukrainian opposition leader former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych at the Presidential Secretariat in Kiev, Ukraine Tuesday, April 1, 2008. President...   (AP Photo/Presidential Press Service, Anatoliy Medzyk, Pool)
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