KIEV , Ukraine ( CNN ) -- A planned missile defense system in Eastern Europe poses no threat to Russia , President George Bush said Tuesday , responding to concerns that the U.S. might use interceptor missiles for offensive purposes . President Bush , with President Viktor Yushchenko , praised Ukraine 's democratic and military reforms . `` The missile defense system is not aimed at Russia , '' Bush said at a news conference in Kiev following talks with the Ukrainian president . `` It 's viewed as an anti-Russian device . Well , it 's not . '' His comments came before he left Kiev for a NATO summit in Bucharest , Romania , that is expected to highlight divisions over the plan . The summit begins Wednesday . Russia and some European countries have expressed concerns about the missile defense system . While Poland and the Czech Republic have agreed to host parts of the system , others in Europe share Russian concerns that the defensive shield could be used for offensive aims . Outside the U.S. Embassy in Kiev on Monday , protesters gathered to denounce Bush 's visit . They chanted , thrust signs into the air -- one reading , `` Yankee Go Home '' -- and burned an effigy of Bush in the street . Watch the demonstration » . The U.S. has tried to dissuade opposition over the plan . Washington offered to allow Russian monitors at the missile sites and to negotiate limits to the system over time . The United States also told Russia the system would not be operational until Iran test-fires a missile that could threaten Europe . Many European countries do n't believe the U.S. assertion that the system is needed to guard against imminent threats from Iran or North Korea . Europe is dependent on Russia for at least 40 percent of its oil and is reluctant to upset the Kremlin . The issue will likely be divisive at this week 's three-day NATO summit , where Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to make a rare appearance . Putin normally declines invitations to attend . Bush is slated to meet Sunday with Putin in the Russian resort city of Sochi on the Black Sea , according to RIA Novosti . It will be the last meeting between the two men before the outgoing Russian president steps down , the Russian news agency reported . Russia also is unhappy with NATO 's eastward march . The alliance has already welcomed former Soviet republics such as Latvia , Lithuania and Estonia . Bush is pushing hard for Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO as well . Before leaving Tuesday for Bucharest , Bush said that Russia will not be able to veto Georgia 's or Ukraine 's inclusion into NATO . Bush said that both countries should be able to take part in NATO 's Membership Action Plan , or MAP , which is designed to help aspiring countries meet the requirements of joining the alliance . `` I strongly believe that Ukraine and Georgia should be given MAP , '' Bush said . `` And there 's no tradeoffs , period . '' The U.S. president further said he was working `` as hard as I can '' to ensure the two countries are accepted into the MAP and that Russia will have no power to block their inclusion . In remarks last month , former U.S . Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer told the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe that NATO `` has long made clear that any decision regarding membership is between NATO and the country concerned , and not subject to veto by any third party . '' Russia is not a NATO member but works with the alliance via the NATO-Russia Council . Russia 's concerns also align with those of some NATO members who oppose welcoming Georgia and Ukraine into the fold . Pifer said last month that NATO should strive to maintain good relations with Russia , but `` should not allow Moscow a veto , either explicit or tacit , over relations between the alliance and third countries . '' Allowing Russia a say , Pifer said , `` would encourage those in Russia who wish to reassert a Russian-led post-Soviet bloc rather than develop a relationship of cooperation and full partnership with Europe and the West . '' Bush said he phoned Putin recently to reassure him on both issues . `` NATO is an organization that 's peaceful . NATO is an organization that helps democracies flourish . And democracies are good things to have on your border , '' Bush said he told Putin . Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said his country should be able to start the NATO membership process . `` We are not speaking about joining NATO ; we are only speaking about MAP , '' he said at the news conference . `` Why should Ukraine be deprived of that sovereign right , since the principle of open doors is the basic principle for NATO ? '' Bush added that Ukraine already contributes to NATO missions , specifically in Iraq , Afghanistan and Kosovo . Ukraine also has demonstrated a commitment to democracy , he said . Responding to a reporter 's question , Bush denied that the United States might ease off on membership plans for Ukraine and Georgia if Russia acquiesces on the missile shield . Both issues threaten to destabilize NATO , said Jane Sharp of the Center for War Studies at King 's College London , but she has heard particularly sharp criticism of the missile defense plan . `` Somebody in the UK Ministry of Defense said to me , 'We are being dragged along on this missile defense thing to the American trough like pigs with rings in our noses , ' '' Sharp said . `` It 's a nuisance for Europeans , and I think they are irritated with the Czechs and the Poles for trying to do deals with the Americans . '' E-mail to a friend .
NEW : Bush : Russia ca n't veto Georgia 's , Ukraine 's inclusion in NATO 's MAP program . European countries share doubts that system is designed to deter Iran , North Korea . Comment: Analyst says both issues threaten to destabilize NATO .