President Bush is on his way to Europe for a four-nation tour marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.
His first stop is Latvia, and Saturday he is to meet in Riga with the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian presidents.
The Baltic leaders are at odds with Russia over the Soviet Union's nearly five-decade rule in their countries after the end of the war. They have called on Russia to denounce the rule as an occupation.
The presidents of Lithuania and Estonia are refusing to attend ceremonies in Moscow Monday marking the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany.
Mr. Bush, who will be at the ceremony, told Lithuanian television he will tell Russian President Vladimir Putin that the end of the war did not mean freedom for the Baltic states.
Mr. Bush will also visit the Netherlands and Georgia.
