Mr Bush praised the Baltic country that "values freedom". He is to meet leaders of all three Baltic states in Riga.

Russia has protested against Mr Bush's visit there ahead of his trip to Moscow to attend major WWII commemorations.

The three Baltic states were annexed by the Soviet Union after the war and have been pressing Russia for a new apology.

Bush supports the demands of his Nato allies, who are also European Union members.

But Moscow has refused. Russia sees itself as the main power which helped bring freedom to Europe, defeating the Nazis at an enormous human cost - 30m Soviet lives were lost.

Of the three Baltic countries, Latvia alone will be taking part in Moscow's ceremonies.

Estonia and Lithuania are staying away.

The Estonians and Lithuanians say their liberation from the Nazis marked the start of Soviet occupation.