The White House is hoping that President Obama’s visit with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States stands with Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Earnest pointed out that just the photo of the two national leaders together would send a clear message to Putin.
Earnest explained that the visit itself would be “a pretty clear symbol to everybody” that the U.S. was prepared to stand with Ukraine.