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Obama says Ukraine's Poroshenko a 'wise selection' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
US President Barack Obama has called Ukraine President-elect Petro Poroshenko a "wise selection" to lead the country. | |
The two men have met in Warsaw to discuss Mr Poroshenko's plan to restore peace, and how the US can give support. | |
Mr Obama said Ukraine could become a vibrant, thriving democracy if the world community stood behind it. | |
Mr Obama is in Poland for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the end of communism there. | Mr Obama is in Poland for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the end of communism there. |
But his visit has taken on extra significance because of Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March. The move has left East-West relations at their lowest ebb since the Cold War. | But his visit has taken on extra significance because of Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March. The move has left East-West relations at their lowest ebb since the Cold War. |
Mr Obama is seeking to reassure East European allies that Washington will support them in the event of any Russian "provocation". | Mr Obama is seeking to reassure East European allies that Washington will support them in the event of any Russian "provocation". |
On Tuesday he pledged $1bn (£600m) to boost military deployments to Europe in response to Russian actions in Ukraine. | On Tuesday he pledged $1bn (£600m) to boost military deployments to Europe in response to Russian actions in Ukraine. |
Mr Poroshenko, a billionaire sweet manufacturer, was elected in May and will be inaugurated as Ukraine's president on Saturday. | |
Mr Obama has said he will offer US support as Kiev tries to settle a gas bill with Russian supplier Gazprom, which has threatened to cut supply. | |
Ukraine's struggling economy has been in recession since 2012. | |
In a press conference after meeting Mr Poroshenko, Mr Obama also said the US would help train the Ukrainian law enforcement and military, and provide equipment like night-vision goggles. | |
Symbolism | |
The BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says Mr Obama chose to come to Poland for its symbolic value. | The BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says Mr Obama chose to come to Poland for its symbolic value. |
In a speech in Warsaw later on Wednesday, he is expected to say that 25 years ago it faced similar problems to those facing Kiev today, but overcame them. | |
The message is that with the West's support, Ukraine can too, our correspondent says. | The message is that with the West's support, Ukraine can too, our correspondent says. |
Mr Obama is on a three-country visit to Europe that takes him next to Brussels later on Wednesday for a meeting of the G7 major industrial nations. | Mr Obama is on a three-country visit to Europe that takes him next to Brussels later on Wednesday for a meeting of the G7 major industrial nations. |
It will be the world leaders' first gathering since Russia was removed from the G8 in protest over its annexation of Crimea in March. | It will be the world leaders' first gathering since Russia was removed from the G8 in protest over its annexation of Crimea in March. |