Prime Minister Harper in Warsaw to begin busy European visit

WARSAW, Poland – Prime Minister Stephen Harper began his visit to Eastern Europe today by heaping more criticism on Russian actions in Ukraine.

After meeting in Warsaw with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Harper said Russia’s ”aggressive behaviour” requires a sustained and co-ordinated response.

Harper said this includes continued sanctions against members of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government

Harper has labelled Putin a threat to world peace after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, and for instigating the continuing unrest in eastern Ukraine.

Harper also said he was pleased to see an increase in military co-operation between Poland and Canada, including a joint training exercise now underway.

The prime minister also used the occasion to congratulate Poland on the 25th anniversary of the nation’s emergence from communism. He planned to join U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders in Warsaw later today to mark the that anniversary.

Harper will also return to Ukraine on Saturday to attend the swearing in of the country’s new president-elect, Petro Poroshenko. The visit was announced on Harper’s aircraft after it left Ottawa on Tuesday.

Harper’s itinerary also includes a G7 summit in Belgium and the 70th anniversary ceremonies of the Normandy invasion in France.