U.S. President Barack Obama and Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski have discussed the need for increased defense spending in Europe after the downing of a Malaysian jetliner over eastern Ukraine.
According to a White House statement, the two leaders also stressed the importance of transatlantic unity "in responding to the tragic shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and Russia's efforts to destabilize Ukraine."
AFP reports the July 21 telephone call between Obama and Komorowski came one day ahead of a meeting in Warsaw between leaders of nine NATO members from central and eastern Europe.