Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                    Ukraine, Energy Highlight Obama EU Talks

   by Luis Ramirez

   President Obama continues his efforts to build support among European
   allies against Russia's takeover of the Crimea region of Ukraine. At an
   EU summit - his first in Brussels - the U.S. leader said the Ukraine
   crisis is highlighting the need for Europe to diversify its energy
   sources.
   Obama's trip to the heart of Europe comes at a crucial time, when the
   U.S. is leading efforts to isolate Russia in an attempt to prevent
   Russian forces from going deeper into Ukraine - or to other nations in
   the region.
   Obama made it a point to show that U.S. ties to Europe run deep.
   The president started his day in Belgium with a visit to Flanders Field
   outside Brussels and laid a wreath at a cemetery where more than 1,000
   U.S. soldiers killed in World War One are buried.
   It was on to a lunch meeting with European leaders that officials said
   was aimed at reaffirming the U.S.-European partnership.
   They talked about tightening sanctions if Russia encroaches further
   into Ukraine or other neighbors and about Europe's dependence on
   Russian oil and gas.
   At a joint news conference with European Council leaders, Obama said
   that dependence is a point of vulnerability that European leaders need
   to examine.
   "Energy is obviously a central focus of our efforts and we have to
   consider very strongly. This entire event, I think, has pointed to the
   need for Europe to look at how it can further diversify its energy
   sources," said Obama.
   Also on the agenda Wednesday was a meeting with the head of NATO. Obama
   said he would reassure NATO allies of what he said is Washington's
   unwavering support and its intention to abide by its guarantees to
   defend NATO members.
   Obama came to Brussels from a nuclear security summit in The Hague,
   where Ukraine also overshadowed the agenda. There, the president warned
   against further Russian advances in the region.  He countered claims
   that Russia is the U.S.'s number one enemy, calling Moscow a regional
   power that overran Crimea not as a sign of strength but of weakness.
   But there are signs the U.S. leader at the same time is being careful
   not to escalate tensions with Russia.
   When asked about the possibility of expanding NATO membership to
   Ukraine and others in the region, President Obama said that is not an
   option for now.
   "Russia has at least on background suggested one of the reasons they've
   been concerned about Ukraine is potential NATO membership. On the other
   hand, part of the reason that Ukraine hasn't formally applied for
   membership is because of its complex relationship with Russia. I don't
   think that's going to change anytime soon, obviously," said Obama.
   At his stop in The Hague, the president also spoke on a domestic
   matter: his efforts to end the practice of having the U.S. government
   store phone records and have telecom firms do it instead. Obama hopes
   the move will help restore Americans' confidence.
   The issue of U.S. phone surveillance is a sensitive one in Europe,
   following revelations last year of U.S. wiretapping of allied leaders
   including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been present at
   meetings with Obama this week.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-energy-highlight-obama-eu-tal
   ks/1879728.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-energy-highlight-obama-eu-talks/1879728.html