Bush says U.S. supports Ukraine and Georgia NATO bids

KIEV (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Tuesday he would press for Ukraine and Georgia to be granted a plan to start the process of NATO membership at the alliance's summit this week in Romania.

"Your nation has made a bold decision, and the United States strongly supports your request," Bush said after talks with Ukrainian leaders, referring to their bid to secure a "Membership Action Plan" (MAP), along with ex-Soviet Georgia.

"In Bucharest this week, I will continue to make America's position clear. We support MAP for Ukraine and Georgia. Helping Ukraine move towards NATO membership is in the interest of every member of the alliance and will help advance security and freedom around the world."

(Reporting by Susan Cornwell, Writing by Ron Popeski)