Poland ‘a beacon of democracy for Ukraine’

President Barack Obama held up 25 years of Polish democracy as a beacon for neighbouring Ukraine in a public celebration, warning Russia that the free world is united against its "dark tactics" to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty.

“We stand together because we believe that people and nations have the right to determine their own destiny — and that includes the people of Ukraine,” Obama said before a crowd of more than 6,000 that spilled into the streets before Royal Castle, a symbol of Polish independence.

“Our free nations will stand united so that further Russian provocations will only mean more isolation and costs for Russia,” Obama said. “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 this new century?”

Obama spoke just after announcing new US assistance for Ukraine’s armed forces, including body armour and night vision goggles — the first such delivery of tools that would directly help Ukrainian troops in their battle against pro-Russian separatists.

Speaking from behind protective glass, Obama declared that “the days of empires and spheres of influence are over.” He cast the people of Ukraine as heirs to the push for democracy in Poland that helped bring an end to communism in 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 legitimise the theft of a neighbour’s land. So we will not accept Russia’s occupation of Crimea or its violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

Holding his first extended meeting earlier with Ukraine’s president-elect Petro Poroshenko, Obama praised the billionaire candy maker as a “wise selection”. He said he was impressed by Poroshenko’s business expertise and confident he can handle Ukraine’s formidable economic and political challenges as he takes office on Saturday.

Obama offered Poros-henko $5 million (€3.7m) in new US aid as Ukraine’s military continues to suffer casualties in its confrontation with pro-Russian insurgents in the country’s east.

Poroshenko, speaking in English, thanked the US for its support and refusal to recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea. He said the next phase is crucial to starting a peaceful process out of Ukraine’s political crisis.

World leaders excluded Russia from a Group of Seven meeting which started last night in Brussels that was originally slated to include President Vladimir Putin and take place in Sochi, Russia. But the leaders of Britain, France and Germany have scheduled face-to-face talks with the Russian leader in the coming days, exposing divisions among Western nations that had united to isolate Russia over its aggressive moves against Ukraine.