Obama, Hollande discuss terrorism investigation

David Jackson, USA TODAY 8:55 a.m. EST January 21, 2015President Obama and French President Francois Hollande.(Photo: Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images)

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French governmentBoko HaramFrancois HollandeJohn KerryUkrainian governmentState of the Union AddressAs he put the final touches on his State of the Union address, President Obama spoke by phone Tuesday with French President Francois Hollande about investigations into the Paris terrorist attacks.Obama "re-affirmed his commitment to provide whatever assistance the French government needs," said a White House statement.The statement did not say whether the two leaders discussed the Obama administration's decision not to send a high-level official to a unity march in Paris on Jan. 11. Secretary of State John Kerry later visited Paris to express U.S. solidarity with the French.The White House said Hollande "expressed gratitude for Secretary Kerry's visit to Paris and for the support France has received from the President and the United States."Also from the White House:"(Obama and Hollande) also discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine and the need to maintain sanctions against Russia in the absence of implementation of the Minsk agreements, and they agreed upon the importance of providing additional financial support to the Ukrainian government."President Obama and President Hollande spoke about the situation in Nigeria, agreeing to work with other members of the international community to help Nigeria hold credible and peaceful elections and to support a regional strategy to counter Boko Haram."The two leaders consulted on the status of on-going negotiations with Iran and discussed recent developments in Israeli-Palestinian relations."Obama's combative tone in State of the Union addressJan 21, 2015