U.S. President Barack Obama now says NATO needs a regular presence in eastern Europe to help protect countries that feel vulnerable following Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Following a meeting with EU leaders in Brussels, Obama says talks among NATO foreign ministers next week should study plans to ensure a regular NATO presence in Eastern European countries.
"One thing that I have had suggested to the heads of states and governments that are NATO members is that we examine those plans to make sure they are updated that we do more to ensure that a regular NATO presence among some of these states that may feel vulnerable is executed. I think there are ways that we do that that can be accommodated by our existing assets."
Obama is also voicing concern about declining military budgets among certain NATO countries.
Obama and European Union leaders also say they're moving to hasten the completion of a Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership that will remove trade barriers between the US and the EU.
Obama and his European counterparts are suggesting the trans-Atlantic trade deal will be an antidote to Russia's influence in the region and a way to help Europe become less dependent on Moscow for energy.
