By Prensa Latina
Kiev : US President George W. Bush on Tuesday ratified support for the inclusion of Ukraine and Georgia in NATO in return for an arrangement in its plans to set up an anti-missile shield in Europe.
In a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Bush said the US would not reach an agreement with Russia over Kiev and Tiflis adhesion to NATO membership.
He said he had informed Russian President Vladimir Putin on his stance, and remarked he hopes to convince him that the projected enlargement of NATO and the missile defense shield will favor Moscow interests.
When admitting the disagreements with Russia over the issues, the US president expressed his hopes that he will clear up Kremlin”s fears during the meeting with Putin on April 6, in Sochi.
In the meantime, President Victor Yuschenko expressed his confidence that he will convince ó reticent ó European States on how convenient would be to support the Ukrainian involvement in that program.
So far, France and Germany refuse to support the US stance to encourage new NATO members, apart from Russia” open rejection of those plans.