Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's pro-western president, arrives in Brussels on Tuesday seeking to convince western leaders his country's rightful place is in the European Union and that he is serious about making the reforms necessary to join.

Mr Yushchenko will begin his visit by meeting George W. Bush, the US president, who signalled his support by saying in Brussels on Monday that Ukraine “must be welcomed by the Euro-Atlantic community”. Mr Yushchenko will also mingle with European national leaders at Tuesday's Nato summit.