US President George W. Bush on Monday promised his backing for Ukraine's efforts to join the North Atlantic security alliance and said he would work with the new government of President Viktor Yushchenko on its membership in the World Trade Organisation.

Both commitments were near the top of the agenda for Mr Yushchenko on his first visit to Washington since taking office in January. “For Ukraine, it was a very long road to the Oval Office,” Mr Yushchenko said after meeting Mr Bush.