Biden to talk Ukraine on trip to Romania, Cyprus

The White House says Vice President Joe Biden will discuss the Ukraine crisis next week while visiting Romania and Cyprus.

Biden will be in Europe from May 20 until May 23. In Bucharest, Biden plans to meet with Romanian President Traian Basescu (TRY'-ahn bah-SES'-koo) and with U.S. and Romanian troops conducting a joint military exercise. The trip aims to reinforce America's commitment to NATO allies amid concerns about Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

In Cyprus, Biden will meet with both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political leaders and emphasize U.S. support for the island's unification as a bizonal federation. Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by Cypriot supporters of union with Greece.

While in Europe, Biden also plans to discuss a pending trans-Atlantic trade deal.