WASHINGTON: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned Thursday that Russia had put world security in peril, ahead of White House talks rich in symbolism but likely to dim Kiev’s hopes for US security guarantees.

As an eastern European leader defying Russian President Putin, Poroshenko enjoyed a gushing reception on Capitol Hill, as he fired off a combative address to both chambers of Congress.

The White House, meanwhile, geared up to toast the Ukrainian chocolate tycoon turned president.

Poroshenko was to hold White House talks with President Barack Obama that officials said were meant to send a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Maybe the picture of President Poroshenko sitting in the Oval Office will be worth at least a thousand words, both in English and in Russian,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

There were clear signs in Ukraine that Russia was taking a close interest in the talks. The Ukrainian government accused Moscow of massing 4,000 troops on border of Ukraine and annexed Crimea.

In another twist to the crisis, a Foreign Ministry official in the Belarussian capital Minsk said new peace talks, involving Russia, Ukraine, separatists and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) would take place on Friday.

Following in the footsteps of leaders like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Charles de Gaulle by addressing a joint meeting of Congress, Poroshenko said Russia was a growing threat.