Obama and Poroshenko spoke by phone on Tuesday, just as Obama is weighing sending lethal defensive assistance to Ukraine's military. On Monday, Obama discussed the issue at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who opposes sending lethal aid to Ukraine and is spearheading the peace talks in Minsk.
The White House isn't saying whether Obama discussed lethal aid with Poroshenko. A White House statement describing the phone call says only that Obama committed to providing financial support for Ukraine.