Ukrainians protest Bush visit

The visit to Ukraine by U.S. President George W. Bush draws thousands of protestors.

Demonstrators declared opposition to the visit by the U.S. President and to efforts by Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Outside the U.S. embassy in Ukraine's capital city of Kiev, protesters burnt an effigy of Bush, in advance of the U.S. President's arrival.

Bush's two-day visit aims to show US support for Ukraine's bid to join NATO. Demonstrators argue that Ukraine will fare better, if it remains allied with Russia.

Moscow strongly opposes Ukrainian membership in NATO. Several streets in central Kiev were closed by authorities, as about 5-thousand police officers were deployed to maintain security during Bush's visit.