WARSAW
U.S. President Barack Obama has reaffirmed his commitment to the defense of allies in Eastern Europe, promised support for Ukraine and warned Russia not to stage any new provocations in the region.
Obama delivered a keynote speech at a ceremony marking the 25th Anniversary of Polish Freedom Day in Warsaw, where he reassured allies on US commitment to defense of Europe and promised support for Ukraine, as well as democracy and freedom movements worldwide.
“We will not accept Russia’s occupation of Crimea or its violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Obama said in Warsaw.
“Bigger nations must not be allowed to bully the small, or impose their will at the barrel of a gun or with masked men taking over buildings. And the stroke of a pen can never legitimize the theft of a neighbor’s land.”
“Our free nations will stand united so that further Russian provocations will only mean more isolation and cost for Russia,” Obama told to an audience that included more than 40 leaders and government representatives of European countries.
"Because after investing so much blood and treasure to bring Europe together, how can we allow the dark tactics of the 20th century to define the new century,” he stressed.
“We stand together because we know that the spirit of Warsaw and Budapest and Prague and Berlin stretches to wherever the longing for freedom stirs in human hearts, whether in Minsk or Caracas, or Damascus or Pyongyang. Wherever people are willing to do the hard work of building democracy -- from Tbilisi to Tunis, from Rangoon to Freetown -- they will have a partner in our nations. For in the struggles of these citizens we recall our own struggles. In their faces we see our own. And few see this more clearly than the people of Poland.”
Obama has praised elections in Ukraine and pledged more support for the democratic transition of the country.
“I met with President-elect Poroshenko this morning, and I told him that, just as free nations offered support and assistance to Poland in your transition to democracy, we stand with Ukrainians now,” Obama said.
“Ukraine must be free to choose its own future for itself and by itself. We reject the zero-sum thinking of the past -- a free and independent Ukraine needs strong ties and growing trade with Europe and Russia and the United States and the rest of the world. Because the people of Ukraine are reaching out for the same freedom and opportunities and progress that we celebrate here today -- and they deserve them, too.”
The U.S. President underlined that his new $1billion program to bolster military assistance to the countries in Eastern Europe would also cover non-NATO member countries like Ukraine and Georgia.
"Yesterday, I announced a new initiative to bolster the security of our NATO allies and increase America’s military presence in Europe," Obama said.
"With the support of Congress, this will mean more pre-positioned equipment to respond quickly in a crisis, and exercises and training to keep our forces ready; additional U.S. forces -- in the air, and sea, and on land, including here in Poland. And it will mean increased support to help friends like Ukraine, and Moldova and Georgia provide for their own defense."
Obama paid a two-day visit to Poland on Tuesday and Wednesday and focused on addressing the growing concerns of eastern European allies over Russia’s foreign policy following its annexation of Crimea. Obama is also scheduled to meet Western European leaders to coordinate policies on Ukraine.
US President will participate in the G7 summit in Brussels Wednesday and Thursday where talks are expected to focus on Ukraine.
On Friday, Obama will visit France to participate in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also participate in the event.
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