KIEV, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Tuesday that Washington 'strongly supports' Ukraine's bid to join NATO, speaking after talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

'Ukraine now seeks to deepen its cooperation with the NATO alliance through a membership action plan. Ukraine has made a bold decision and the United States strongly supports your request,' Bush said at a joint press conference with Yushchenko.