US President pledges military support for Ukraine

(Vatican Radio)-- U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged military assistance for Ukraine and condemned "Russian aggression" before arriving in Brussels for a meeting of the G7 group of major industrial nations who announced possible new sanctions against Moscow amid concerns over fighting in Ukraine.

Obama told an audience in Warsaw, including heads of state and members of royalty, that Poland's struggle for freedom was an inspiration for countries such as Ukraine. 

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the collapse of Communism in Poland, Obama said Russian aggression in Ukraine cannot be allowed in a modern Europe. 

"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," Obama said. "And the stroke of a pen can never legitimize the theft of a neighbor's land. So we will not accept Russia's occupation of Crimea or its violation of Ukraine's sovereignty," he stressed.

Obama spoke shortly after meeting Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko and pledged military support to Kyiv. The American leader said the $5 million dollar in military assistance would include providing body armour and night-vision goggles.

MORE AID

The aid follows $18 million promised for food, clothes, radios and other equipment.

And Obama warned Russia that America would especially support its allies in the NATO military alliance, including Eastern European countries who were occupied by Soviet forces.   

“Article 5 is clear,” Obama said in a speech that was interrupted by loud applause and shouts of joy. “

An attack on one is an attack on all. And as allies we have a solemn duty, a binding treaty obligation, to defend your territorial integrity and we will," he said.

"We stand together now and forever. For your freedom is ours. Poland will never stand alone. But not just Poland. Estonia will never stand alone. Latvia will never stand alone. Lithuania will never stand alone. Romania will never stand alone,” he told an enthusiastic crowd and a visibly happy Polish president. 

MEETING PUTIN

Obama was expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in France on Friday, during 70th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Speaking ahead of talks with leaders of the G7 grouping of industrial nations in Belgium, Obama urged the world community to support Ukraine.

Leaders of the G7 later said later they are prepared to impose further sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine. In a statement they condemned Moscow for its "continuing violation" of Ukraine's sovereignty. German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters: "We can't afford a further destabilisation of Ukraine."

It was is the first G7 gathering since Russia was removed from what was the G8 to protest its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

In Warsaw, Obama had said the chocolate-tycoon turned President-elect Poroshenko was a "wise selection" to lead the former Soviet nation through turbulent times.

Poroshenko, who will be sworn in as head of state Saturday, has promised to restore peace and stability in eastern Ukraine, where many have died in clashes between pro-Russia separatists and government forces.