$1bn boost for US military might in Europe

The United States is preparing to boost its military presence in Europe at a cost of up to $1bn, President Barack Obama said, as tensions in the region simmer over Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine.

Standing with Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski, Obama said the US plans to send more military equipment and rotate additional American troops into the region. He called on lawmakers in Washington to provide the funding to sustain the effort.

The White House also said it would review permanent troop deployments in Europe in the light of the Ukraine crisis — though that fell short of a firm commitment to put troops on the ground that Poland and some of its neighbours had sought.