Obama to hold talks with Ukraine President

US President Barack Obama is to discuss economic support for Ukraine when he meets President-elect Petro Poroshenko in Warsaw.

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.

Obama is in Poland for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the end of communism there. Malta is being represented by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband.

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

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

"I want to hear from Poroshenko what he thinks would be most helpful. We're going to spend a lot of time on the economics of Ukraine," Mr Obama said.

He said Moscow could rebuild the trust it once enjoyed, but said that "further Russian provocation" would be met with further costs for Russia, including possible further sanctions.

Moscow has been accused of supporting armed separatists in eastern Ukraine, something it strongly denies.