Ukraine discussions trump Stephen Harper's visit to Warsaw

Prime Minister Stephen Harper spent much of Tuesday talking about Ukrainewith Polish leaders in Warsaw, as his European trip continues.

Harper metwithPolish Prime Minister EvaKopaczand PresidentBronislawKomorowskiand spoke to reporters in a joint newsstatement with Kopacz, which mainlyfocused on defence issues, like Ukraine.Neither tookquestions from journalists.

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During the statement, Kopacz revealed that Harper would be visiting a Canadian frigate in the port town of Gdaskon theBaltic Sea. It's home to theHMCS Fredericton, where about 200 Canadians are taking part in military exercises.

The visit was unannounced and embargoed to Canadianmedia before Kopacz revealed it during the statement,breaking the embargo.

Defence Minister Jason Kenney, who isin Europe with Harper,confirmed the visitbut wouldn't wade intospecifics.

"I'm not going to discuss what exactly we might be doing in the next 24 hours except to say that obviously the prime minister will be visiting one of our frigates that's been on joint training exercises in the Baltic Sea," he told reporters Tuesday.

Both Harper and Kopacz renewed their condemnation of Russian leader Vladimir Putin over Ukraine.

"The position of Canada and Poland is very much the same, to maintain sanctions and to exert pressure on Russia so that it withdraws from the territory of Ukraine," saidKopacz.

Shetalkedaboutboth Poland and Canada'sreadiness to support Ukraine and called Canada a "highly valued ally."

Earlier Tuesday,Harper took part in a traditionalwreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Poland just one leg of Europe trip

Harper arrived from the G7 summit in Germany, where the unrest between Ukraine and Russia was also a hot topic.

Harper enjoys strong relations with Poland and considers it a major European ally, after forginga bond with Kopacz's predecessor Donald Tusk, who became European Council president last year.

In Tuesday's joint statement, Harpersaid he hoped the bond would continue under Kopacz's leadership.

He alsoreiterated Canada's "deep and enduring ties" to Poland.

It's Harper's third trip to Poland.The most recent wasjust one year ago, whenHarperconsideredincreasing Canada's long-term military presence in Eastern Europe.

The current Polish diaspora in Canada is estimated to be aroundone million.