NATO made up a decision on Thursday, 3, April, not to create for Georgia and Ukraine a track to join the alliance after vehement Russian opposition, but the alliance pledged that the strategically important Black Sea countries will become members one day. The French and German consideration over Russia's reaction dashed the two former Soviet republics' hopes of being granted a "membership action plan" that bring them into the alliance within the next five to 10 years.

The major American officials also reported that NATO heads agreed to fully endorse United Statess missile defense plans for Europe and urge Russia to drop its objections to the system.

But alliance Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer noted that NATO welcomes the countries' intentions to join. "We agree today that these countries will become members of the Aliance", he added.

The Greek party also meant that Macedonia was not received, though NATO did agree to invite the Balkan nations of Albania and Croatia.

Macedonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milososki said his delegation would walk out of the summit symbolizing their protest. He admitted: "Macedonia's delegation today will leave the summit because we see it very necessary to be together with our nation today. This is a difficult time for our small nation."

The foreign ministers of NATO decided to explore Ukraine and Georgia's applications again in December, de Hoop Scheffer reported.

The President pf France Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were considered about provoking Moscow that has warned of a new East-West crisis if NATO takes in the two republics. Both are on Russia's southwestern border, across key east-west oil and gas routes.

The Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko assured that "Ukraine will be in NATO" one day.