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NATO Bars Former Soviet States in Blow to US

Ukraine, Georgia, Macedonia blocked

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2008 4:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – In a blow to the US, a divided NATO has refused to permit membership bids by former Soviet states Georgia and the Ukraine. The decision is an indication that Europe is wary of antagonizing an increasingly belligerant Russia, Bloomberg reports. Germany and France led the opposition to membership. In another defeat for American diplomacy, Greece blocked the admission of Macedonia.

The White House badly wanted Ukraine and Georgia admitted to secure their independence and to gain an American-friendly foothold in former Soviet territory. "Bush expended a great deal of political capital teeing this one up,'' said a former member of the National Security Council. "Despite the heavy lifting, Washington's proposal was shot down.''

President George Bush and Romanian President Traian Basescu walk along the shoreline of the Black Sea at his presidential retreat in Neptun, Romania.
President George Bush and Romanian President Traian Basescu walk along the shoreline of the Black Sea at his presidential retreat in Neptun, Romania.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Romanian President Traian Basescu with President George W. Bush, during an official arrival ceremony for NATO leaders.
Romanian President Traian Basescu with President George W. Bush, during an official arrival ceremony for NATO leaders.   (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)
A child places a candle as people protest peacefully in front of Macedonia's government building. Greece has blocked Macedonia's admission to NATO in a dispute of its name.
A child places a candle as people protest peacefully in front of Macedonia's government building. Greece has blocked Macedonia's admission to NATO in a dispute of its name.   (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
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