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Obama says Ukraine's Poroshenko a 'wise selection' Obama condemns Russian 'aggression' in Ukraine
(35 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has called Ukraine President-elect Petro Poroshenko a "wise selection" to lead the country. US President Barack Obama has condemned Russian "aggression" in Ukraine.
The two men have met in Warsaw to discuss Mr Poroshenko's plan to restore peace, and how the US can give support. Speaking in Warsaw to mark 25 years since the fall of communism in Poland, he hailed Polish democracy as a beacon for neighbouring Ukraine.
Mr Obama said Ukraine could become a vibrant, thriving democracy if the world community stood behind it. "How can we allow the dark tactics of the 20th Century to define the 21st?" he said.
Mr Obama is in Poland for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the end of communism there. Earlier Mr Obama met Ukraine President-elect Petro Poroshenko, and pledged support for plans to restore peace to the country.
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 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 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.
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.
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. 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.
SymbolismSymbolism
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. In his speech, the US president said that Poland's long struggle against occupation and tyranny was mirrored in the plight of Ukraine today.
The message is that with the West's support, Ukraine can too, our correspondent says. "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."
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.