This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27691607

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
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 pledged $5m (£3m) of military assistance to Kiev including body armour and night-vision goggles.
Ukraine's struggling economy has been in recession since 2012. The aid follows $18m promised since early March for food, clothes, radios and other equipment.
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. Mr Obama has now arrived in Brussels for a meeting of the G7 major industrial nations, the first since Russia was removed from the G8 in protest over its annexation of Crimea in March.
He is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in France on Friday, during 70th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in Normandy.
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 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."
Later German Chancellor Angela Merkel threatened Russia with further sanctions if Moscow failed to rein in separatists in eastern Ukraine.
"It is decisive that President Putin use his influence to get the separatists to refrain from violence and intimidation, hand over their weapons and stop the occupations," she said in a speech to parliament.
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.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.
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.