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| Obama condemns Russian 'aggression' in Ukraine | Obama condemns Russian 'aggression' in Ukraine |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has condemned Russian "aggression" in Ukraine. | US President Barack Obama has condemned Russian "aggression" in Ukraine. |
| Speaking in Warsaw to mark 25 years since the fall of communism in Poland, he hailed Polish democracy as a beacon for neighbouring Ukraine. | Speaking in Warsaw to mark 25 years since the fall of communism in Poland, he hailed Polish democracy as a beacon for neighbouring Ukraine. |
| "How can we allow the dark tactics of the 20th Century to define the 21st?" he said. | "How can we allow the dark tactics of the 20th Century to define the 21st?" he said. |
| Earlier Mr Obama met Ukraine President-elect Petro Poroshenko, and pledged support for plans to restore peace to the country. | Earlier Mr Obama met Ukraine President-elect Petro Poroshenko, and pledged support for plans to restore peace to the country. |
| Mr Obama called Mr Poroshenko a "wise selection" to lead Ukraine, and said the nation could become a vibrant, thriving democracy if the world community stood behind it. | Mr Obama called Mr Poroshenko a "wise selection" to lead Ukraine, and said the nation could become a vibrant, thriving democracy if the world community stood behind it. |
| Mr Poroshenko, a billionaire sweet manufacturer, was elected in May and will be inaugurated as Ukraine's president on Saturday. | 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. | 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. | Ukraine's struggling economy has been in recession since 2012. |
| During a press conference after meeting Mr Poroshenko, Mr Obama also said the US would help train the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and military, and provide equipment like night-vision goggles. | During a press conference after meeting Mr Poroshenko, Mr Obama also said the US would help train the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and military, and provide equipment like night-vision goggles. |
| Symbolism | 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 his speech, the US president said that Poland's long struggle against occupation and tyranny was mirrored in the plight of Ukraine today. | In his speech, the US president said that Poland's long struggle against occupation and tyranny was mirrored in the plight of Ukraine today. |
| "We will not accept Russia's occupation of Crimea or its violations of Ukraine's sovereignty," Mr Obama said. | "We will not accept Russia's occupation of Crimea or its violations of Ukraine's sovereignty," Mr Obama said. |
| "As we've been reminded by Russia's aggression in Ukraine, our free nations cannot be complacent in pursuit of the vision we share - a Europe that is whole and free and at peace." | "As we've been reminded by Russia's aggression in Ukraine, our free nations cannot be complacent in pursuit of the vision we share - a Europe that is whole and free and at peace." |
| Meanwhile, on the ground in Ukraine, separatist rebels have taken two military bases in the eastern region of Luhansk as fighting continues near the rebel-held town of Sloviansk. | |
| European tour | |
| 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. |
| Mr Obama is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in France on Friday, during 70th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in Normandy. | Mr Obama is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in France on Friday, during 70th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in Normandy. |