Kurt Volker, US principal deputy assistant secretary for European and Eurasian affairs, also refused to rule out the prospect that Ukraine could be approved for NATO membership at the same time, despite its current political turmoil.

Croatia had hoped to secure an invitation to west's former Cold War military bloc as early as next year, along with Albania and Macedonia, following its inclusion of seven former Soviet bloc countries last year.

"We don't think that it is ripe to enlarge NATO this year or next year. We don't think that the candidates that are interested in that are ready yet," Volker told reporters in Brussels, where he held talks with NATO officials.

Of the three Balkan hopefuls, he said: "Our judgement is that, if we were to try to reach a consensus within NATO on extending invitations to those countries this year or next year..theres no guarantee that they would make it."

Volker confirmed that the US has proposed that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which is transforming itself from Cold War bloc to a global security and political actor, hold two summits, one in 2006 and one in 2008.

Next year's summit will be aimed at strengthening the 26-member organization, including speeding up its notoriously-laborious decision-making procedures, while the 2008 one will focus on expansion.

The US official acknowledged that Croatia, Albania and Macedonia may be disappointed, but advised them to be philosophical about any delay.

"By setting out a time period further down the line .. and giving them time to enhance their performance we think there is a realistic possibility that ... they'll be much stronger candidates," he said.

"While it may be a disappointment for them, it's not so much a decision as an assessment of what is the lay of the land, what can we realistically achieved," he added.

On Ukraine, Volker downplayed the current political turmoil gripping the country - including the sacking of the government on Thursday - and declined to rule out that they could join the Balkan trio in 2008.

"It is possible, and it's possible that it won't happen," he said. "There's a lot to be encouraged about with Ukraine .. We can't prejudge positively, but also that means not prejudging negatively," he said.

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