AKIPRESS.COM - US President Barack Obama has called Ukraine President-elect Petro Poroshenko a "wise selection" to lead the country.

The two men have met in Warsaw to discuss Mr Poroshenko's plan to restore peace, and how the US can give support, BBC said.

Mr Obama said Ukraine could become a vibrant, thriving democracy if the world community stood behind it.

Mr Obama is in Poland for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the end of communism there.

But his visit has taken on extra significance because of Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March. The move has left East-West relations at their lowest ebb since the Cold War.

Mr Obama is seeking to reassure East European allies that Washington will support them in the event of any Russian "provocation".

On Tuesday he pledged $1bn (£600m) to boost military deployments to Europe in response to Russian actions in Ukraine.

Mr Poroshenko, a billionaire sweet manufacturer, was elected in May and will be inaugurated as Ukraine's president on Saturday.

Mr Obama has said he will offer US support as Kiev tries to settle a gas bill with Russian supplier Gazprom, which has threatened to cut supply.

Ukraine's struggling economy has been in recession since 2012.

In a press conference after meeting Mr Poroshenko, Mr Obama also said the US would help train the Ukrainian law enforcement and military, and provide equipment like night-vision goggles.