TALLIN, Estonia, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Early Wednesday morning, President Barack Obama arrived in Estonia to help reassure the Baltic states that the U.S. will defend them. The area is worried about possible Russian aggression.
President Obama is meeting first with Estonia's president and later with the leaders of Latvia and Lithuania.
President Obama is greeted by Urmas Paet, Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs @Urmaspaet @valismin #ObamaInEstonia pic.twitter.com/78sSzQ5Fv7
— USEmbassyTallinn (@USEmbTallinn) September 3, 2014The President stopped in Estonia on his way to NATO summit in Whales. NATO leaders are expected to discuss the creation of a rapid response team to deal with Russian actions in eastern Ukraine.
Estonia, like Ukraine is a former Soviet republic with a large minority of Russians. However, unlike Ukraine, Estonia is a member of NATO and the U.S. has an obligation to help defend it.
Last week, the president warned that Russia's continued escalation in eastern Ukraine will result in additional sanctions and international isolation.
