TALLINN, Nov. 12 - NATO, meeting on Russia's doorstep, held talks with Ukraine to assess its progress toward membership of the alliance, but prospects for a promised entry action plan were dim, Reuters reported.

Russia deeply opposes Ukraine's efforts to join NATO, while opinion polls show only about a third of Ukrainians support it. Ukraine's domestic political turmoil has made NATO hesitant, though the alliance has said Ukraine, and Georgia, will one day be members.