President Barack Obama and European leaders will meet with Ukraine's president to discuss Russia's provocations in Ukraine, according to Reuters.
As fighting between the army and Russian-backed rebels rages in eastern Ukraine, preparations are under way near its western border for a joint military exercise this month with more than 1,000 troops from the United States and its allies, Reuters reported.
The decision to go ahead with the Rapid Trident exercise Sept. 16-26 is seen as a sign of the commitment of NATO states to support non-NATO member Ukraine while stopping well short of military intervention in the conflict, according to Reuters.
The annual exercise, to take place in the Yavoriv training center near Ukraine's border with Poland, was initially scheduled for July, but was put back because early planning was disrupted by the crisis in the eastern part of the country, Reuters reported.
The meeting will occur Thursday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Wales, Reuters reported. Obama arrived in Wales late Wednesday after a whirlwind visit to Estonia, where he pledged NATO support to Baltic nations who fear Russia could threaten their sovereignty.
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy will also take part in Thursday's meeting, according to Reuters. The leaders are expected to discuss the potential for deeper economic sanctions on Russia.
In addition to staging air force exercises, the United States is moving tanks and 600 troops to Poland and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for joint maneuvers in October, replacing a more lightly armed force of paratroopers, Reuters reported.
White House officials say Obama and the European leaders are also expected to discuss efforts to stamp out Islamic State militants, Reuters reported.
Obama will also meet Thursday with Jordan's King Abdullah, whose country is caught in the crossfire of Middle East tumult.
