US:US PRESIDENT George Bush has pledged to do everything possible to secure a Nato invitation for Ukraine and Georgia and insisted that Russian anger will not be enough to stymie their membership bids at the alliance summit today in Romania, writes Daniel McLaughlin.
Hopes of receiving a Nato "membership action plan" (Map) are fading in both former Soviet republics, however, after France joined Germany in reiterating its opposition to such a move at a sensitive time in relations between western states and Moscow.
Croatia and Albania are confident of receiving an invitation to join the 26-nation bloc at the Bucharest summit, but Macedonia's bid appears likely to fail due to its refusal to bow to requests from neighbouring Nato member Greece to change its name.
Visiting Ukraine, Mr Bush said he would work "as hard as I can" to win a place in Nato for his hosts - despite widespread dissent in the pro-Russian east of the country - and for Georgia, even though two of its regions are claiming independence.
"In Bucharest this week, I will continue to make America's position clear: we support Map for Ukraine and Georgia," Mr Bush said alongside Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko. Mr Bush also denied whispers in diplomatic circles that Washington would accept the postponement of the two countries' Nato invitations in return for Russian acceptance of Pentagon plans to build a missile defence system in Poland and Czech Republic.
"There's no trade-offs, period," he said, adding that Nato leaders had told him that "Russia will not have a veto over what happens next in Bucharest and I take their word for it".
Mr Yushchenko urged Nato states not to be cowed by Russia, which has warned of a "deep crisis" if Ukraine and Georgia are offered membership.
Top Moscow officials have told Ukraine that it might be targeted by missiles if it joined the bloc, and that Russia could recognise the sovereignty of Georgia's breakaway regions if it signed up.
"You will forgive me, but I would not like to see the key, fundamental principle of the alliance's activity - open doors - replaced by a veto for a country which is not even a member," Mr Yushchenko said.
While the US, Canada and east European members are keen for Ukraine and Georgia to join Nato, west European states are far more reticent, particularly Germany and France.
"France will not give its green light to the entry of Ukraine and Georgia," prime minister François Fillon said yesterday. "We think it is not the correct response to the balance of power in Europe and between Europe and Russia."
Berlin has already said that it thinks Ukraine is too deeply divided over Nato and that Georgia's problems with Russian-backed separatists are too serious for the countries to merit membership of the alliance now. Invitations to both countries would also undermine an attempt to put a late gloss on relations between the US and Russia just before their current presidents step down.
President Vladimir Putin will welcome Mr Bush to Russia at the weekend, when they are expected to sign a framework deal for their countries' co-operation over the medium term.
"I've worked with him for eight years. We've had a very interesting relationship," Mr Bush said of Mr Putin yesterday. "I like him. He's a person that, you know, has been a strong leader for Russia."
Macedonia's hopes of a Nato invitation are dwindling after it failed to reach a compromise over Greek demands that it change its name.
Athens says use of the name "Macedonia" implies a territorial claim on the Greek region of the same name.