In Poland, Obama reassures eastern Europe allies over Ukraine

Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

With an F-16 fighter in the background, U.S. President Barack Obama and Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski (R) shake hands upon Obama's arrival at Chopin Airport in Warsaw June 3, 2014.

In Poland, Ukraine's western neighbor and a U.S. NATO ally, Obama meets with leaders including Ukraine's president-elect, Petro Poroshenko, and is expected to address criticism he has not done enough to push back against Moscow after it annexed Crimea in March.

Obama began his day by meeting Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski at Warsaw airport. The two leaders will visit U.S. and Polish airmen and are slated to appear a joint press conference after holding talks.

During brief remarks after his arrival, Obama said U.S. commitments to Poland and the region were a cornerstone of the United States' own security. 'As friends and allies we stand united together,' Obama said.

Later Obama will meet Prime Minister Donald Tusk, followed by a session with other central and eastern European leaders who are gathered in Warsaw.

His visit coincides with the 'Freedom Day' anniversary in Poland, which marks the holding of the country's first partially-free elections 25 years ago.

Later in the week, Obama travels to Brussels for a meeting of G7 leaders and then to France for the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in World War II.

(Writing by Jeff Mason; Editing by Christian Lowe)

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