KIEV, Ukraine
Vice President Dick Cheney said yesterday that Georgia will join NATO and backed its attempts to rebuild from its war with Russia, using a trip to former Soviet republics as a show of U.S. support for their pro-Western leaders.
Cheney flew to Kiev from Georgia, where he denounced Russia's "illegitimate, unilateral attempt" to redraw Georgia's borders by force.
"Georgia will be in our alliance," Cheney told reporters as he stood alongside Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, whose pro-Western government wants to join NATO despite Russian opposition.
Cheney's trip was intended as a signal that the United States will continue cultivating close ties with Georgia and its neighbors even after Russia showed it was willing to use military force against countries along its border.
Before Georgia, Cheney also stopped in oil-rich Azerbaijan.
There are concerns that the Kremlin might next squeeze Ukraine as it tries to reclaim dominance in the region. That strategically situated country of 46 million has pipelines that carry Russian gas to Europe.
"America will do its duty to work with the governments of Georgia and our other friends and allies to protect our common interests and to uphold our values," Cheney said.
"Russia's actions have cast grave doubts on Russia's intentions and on its reliability as an international partner," Cheney added.
On the eve of Cheney's arrival, the White House announced a $1 billion commitment to help Georgia recover from Russia's invasion.
Saakashvili said that Georgia is grateful for the aid, which matched his government's estimate of war damages.
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