President Obama seeks to reassure regional leaders

The Russian President left Prague on Thursday afternoon. But President Obama remained in the Czech capital to host a dinner for 11 leaders from central and eastern Europe in the evening. The informal event is being seen as an opportunity for President Obama to reassure regional leaders that Washington is not deserting its allies because of the decision to reset relations with Moscow. That fear has been expressed frequently following the decision by the US at the end of 2009 to ditch plans for an anti-missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland following Russian protests.

The US president is set to meet with Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer and President Klaus before he flies back to Washington on Friday.

Author: Chris Johnstone