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Bucharest: Nato has rebuffed bids by Ukraine and Georgia to start a path towards membership of the military alliance, dealing a blow to US President Bush’s goal of extending Western influence among former Soviet countries.
Georgian officials had said a refusal to allow them entry would mean a victory for Russia, which has expressed concerns over Nato’s eastward expansion.
Member states said their membership applications would come under review again in December. Balkan neighbours Albania and Croatia were invited to join the club.
Meanwhile, Nato leaders agreed to endorse US plans to build a missile defence system in Eastern Europe.
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