President Obama and Scandinavian leaders on Friday renewed their commitment to NATO in the wake of Russian intransigence on Crimea and deployment of a U.S. missile defense shield in Eastern Europe — the first of its kind on the continent.
“We’re united in our concern about Russia’s growing aggressive military presence and posture in the Baltic-Nordic region,” President Obama said as he hosted the leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden at the White House. “We will be maintaining ongoing dialogue and seek cooperation with Russia, but we also want to make sure that we are prepared and strong, and we want to encourage Russia to keep its military activities in full compliance with international obligations.”
NATO will take over the shield operations, which has sites in Poland and Romania, once construction is complete.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the U.S.-NATO missile defense shield system could spark a new Cold War.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to seeing Ukraine gain back control of the Crimean Peninsula.
“We agreed on the need to continue to support Ukraine, and maintain sanctions against Russia until we can get a resolution, as was outlined in the Minsk agreements, and that those need to be fully implemented,” Obama said.
“We will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea, or accept Russian aggression in Ukraine,” said Prime Minister Sweden Stefan Lofven.
Finish President Sauli Niinisto said that Russian movements are creating tension in the Baltic Sea region.
“The situation has become more tense, even in the Baltic Sea region and northern Europe — our neck of the woods,” Niinisto said as the Nordic leaders met with Obama. “Strengthening security and stability there is called for, and this includes appropriate dialogue with Russia to enhance transparency and reduce risks.”
“We value highly the U.S. commitment to Europe and to our security,” he said.
The Obamas are feting the five leaders at a state dinner Friday night — the first such quint-leader dinner, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
As U.S. officials discussed security, climate, trade and other issues with their Nordic counterparts, Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and assured him that the U.S. will guarantee a third $1 billion loan to the cash-starved nation as it continues implementing government reforms mandated by the Minsk agreement.
