No misperceptions! Bush backs Ukraine's Nato bid

President Bush, on a visit to Ukraine (and under the eagle eye of a satellite-hatted Ukrainian soldier!), today declared his unequivocal support for the entry of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, a position that is almost bound to anger Russia. The President said, “Your nation has made a bold decision, and the United States strongly supports your request,” he told Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. But both former Soviet states are expected to be blocked by French and German opposition. So stalemate looms.

It's a good thing President Yushchenko is married to an American. She can explain away the Bushisms. G.W. 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 (good grammar!). Period,” he said. Russia has been lobbying hard against both states, saying NATO’s expansion into former Soviet territory impinges on Russia’s sphere of influence. However, it's hardly the most important thing for Ukrainians. I'd put getting a good day's pay, decent housing and education higher up the list of priorities. It's a pity, though, that Russia and the USA can't be a bit more friendly. After all, some megamillionare (supposedly Roman Abramovich) is attempting to build a tunnel under the Bering Strait as part of a transport corridor linking Europe and America via Siberia and Alaska. The Russians must be sorry the Tsar sold Alaska to the Americans in the first place!