Obama's Europe Tour

U.S. President Barack Obama boards Air Force One on March 31 to depart for his eight-day European tour. - In his first European visit since taking office in January, Obama was scheduled to visit Britain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Turkey.

Obama with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in London on April 1. - The two leaders vowed to pursue a new nuclear arms-reduction deal, and the Russian president offered that "today's discussion showed that there are many more positions that bring us together than those that pull us apart."

Obama responds to a question from the media at the G20 summit in London on April 2. - Participants emerged with a $1 trillion plan to combat economic crisis that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called "the largest macroeconomic stimulus the world has ever seen."

A lighter moment at the close of the G20 summit in London on April 2. - Obama credited "two days of careful negotiation" in London with having produced "a series of unprecedented steps that I believe will be a turning point in our pursuit of a global economic recovery."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy with Obama at a joint press conference in Strasbourg on April 3. - France's leader said his country "completely support the new American strategy in Afghanistan," but he also resisted U.S. encouragement to send more troops to help the NATO mission there.

Obama at a town-hall-style meeting at a Strasbourg sports arena on April 3. - "I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership, one in which America listens and learns from our friends and allies, but where our friends and allies bear there share of the burden,"

German TV host Clemens Bratzler holds a cardboard cutout of Obama in Baden-Baden for a segment of his show. - After the G20 meeting came NATO's 60th anniversary summit, where member states debated challenges ranging from the alliance's first-ever out-of-area mission in Afghanistan to the resurgence of Russia.

Obama and other NATO leaders on a march of unity across the French-German border at the alliance summit on April 4. - The alliance welcomed new members Croatia and Albania, and hailed France's return to NATO command after a decades-long absence.

NATO leaders at the North Atlantic Council meeting in Strasbourg on day two of the April 3-4 summit. - But the greatest focus was on NATO's first-ever out-of-area mission, in Afghanistan, where Washington was pressing for increased commitment from its allies.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, with Czech President Vaclav Klaus on their arrival in Prague on April 4. - The fall of the Czech government in late March dealt a blow to the country's current EU presidency and left President Klaus -- who revels in his contrarian views on global warming, the EU, and what to do about the economic crisis -- calling many of the shots in Prague.

Humanists protesting the Czechs' hosting of a planned U.S. anti-missile radar station as Obama spoke nearby. - The new U.S. administration has backed away from President George W. Bush's determination to go ahead with a Europe-based missile-defense system, suggesting it could be suspended if the perceived threat from Iran recedes.

The Obamas wave to a crowd of around 30,000 people after the president's speech outside Prague Castle on April 5. - The U.S. president used his open-air address in the Czech Republic to press his goal of nuclear disarmament, declaring "clearly and with conviction, America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons."

Obama's major multilateral gatherings culminated in the EU-U.S. meeting on April 5. - Sandwiched between the G20 and NATO meetings earlier in the week, and the U.S. leader's eagerly awaited visit to NATO ally Turkey, the EU event broke no new ground. Participants issued a joint statement on North Korea's missile launch and traded opinions on the EU membership bid of Turkey.

In Istanbul on April 4, Turkish women protest U.S. policies in Afghanistan and Iraq. - Obama's planned final stop was Turkey, where he was expected to seek Ankara's support in his drive to explore diplomatic solutions to ease regional tensions and promote East-West dialogue.