Bush said

Bush said, "The Cold War is over. The days of satellite states and spheres of influence are behind us."

The United States has rushed humanitarian aid to Georgia, using U.S. military planes that put American forces in the midst of the showdown with Moscow.

"Moscow must honor its commitment to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian territory," Bush said.

The president said Americans might be perplexed why the United States had drawn a line in the sand in defense of Georgia, an impoverished country that is largely unknown on the world stage.

"In the years since its gained independence after the Soviet Union's collapse, Georgia's become a courageous democracy," Bush said. "It's people are making the tough choices that are required of free societies. Since the Rose Revolution in 2003, the Georgian people have held free elections, opened up their economy, and built the foundations of a successful democracy."

Aligning itself firmly with Washington, Georgia sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. Bush visited Georgia in a show of solidarity and promised that the United States would stand with the former Soviet republic.

"The people of Georgia have cast their lot with the free world, and we will not cast them aside," the president pledged on Friday.

Bush acknowledged that Russia is anxious about the spread of democracy to its borders and sees it as a threat to its security.

"The opposite is true," Bush said. "Free and prosperous societies on Russia's borders will advance Russia's interests by serving as sources of stability and economic opportunity."