[ i ask you, ukraine has failed. can i ask you, mr smith, _ ukraine has failed. can i ask you, mr smith, how _ ukraine has failed. can i ask you, mr smith, how will _ ukraine has failed. can i ask you, mr smith, how will that - ukraine has failed. can i ask you, mr smith, how will that happen? | ukraine has failed. can i ask you, - mr smith, how will that happen? how will he fail in your view? i mr smith, how will that happen? how will he fail in your view?— will he fail in your view? i think what we need _ will he fail in your view? i think what we need is _ will he fail in your view? i think what we need is to _ will he fail in your view? i think what we need is to sustain - will he fail in your view? i think i what we need is to sustain almost will he fail in your view? i think - what we need is to sustain almost a multiple front in ways in which we can bring home both to putin that there is an unsustainable cost to what he has done, economic terms where we pile on not only the sanctions but also the decisions that have been made all around the world to disinvest in russia, and fundamentally disconnect russia from its coexistence in the global economy. its coexistence in the global economy-— its coexistence in the global econom . �* a, ~ economy. and do you think he will care about — economy. and do you think he will care about that? _ economy. and do you think he will care about that? i _ economy. and do you think he will care about that? i think _ economy. and do you think he will care about that? i think it - economy. and do you think he will care about that? i think it would . economy. and do you think he will| care about that? i think it would be foolish of us _ care about that? i think it would be foolish of us to _ care about that? i think it would be foolish of us to stop _ care about that? i think it would be foolish of us to stop and _ care about that? i think it would be foolish of us to stop and ask- foolish of us to stop and ask ourselves well maybe he doesn't care. the important thing for us is to continue to find ways of demonstrating the increasing costs of what he is doing. i think it is

also important in the background that we remember this is notjust about putin, it is actually also about putin, it is actually also about demonstrating in whatever way we can and getting through to russian people just the extent to which, make sure they understand the extent to which putin has trashed russia's global reputation, apparently in their name. and to continue the process of ensuring that many people understand, as many people do in russia, the immense damage that has been done by putin to russia and why it has to stop. what if that plays out in the way you describe? what if it takes three months or six or nine or a year or two? n months or six or nine or a year or two? ., months or six or nine or a year or two? . . months or six or nine or a year or two? ., ., ., ., months or six or nine or a year or two? . . ., . ., two? i fear we have to have our minds open _ two? i fear we have to have our minds open to _ two? i fear we have to have our minds open to the _ two? i fear we have to have our minds open to the fact - two? i fear we have to have our minds open to the fact that - two? i fear we have to have our minds open to the fact that any| two? i fear we have to have our. minds open to the fact that any of those scenarios you mentioned are possible. we have to bear in mind

that none of this can be gone into with a quick and easy assumption that putin's effort will collapse in a heap any time soon. personally, i very much hope it does but we must also go into it aware of the possibility that this could be a very long haul. it possibility that this could be a very long haul-— possibility that this could be a very long haul. possibility that this could be a ve loni haul. ., , , very long haul. it might not 'ust be ukraine, it — very long haul. it might not 'ust be ukraine, it could i very long haul. it might not 'ust be ukraine, it could be * very long haul. it might not 'ust be ukraine, it could be mulled _ very long haul. it might notjust be ukraine, it could be mulled over. ukraine, it could be mulled over next from his point of view, and is the west and nato just going to keep on piling on the economic sanctions if that happens?— if that happens? know, as i say, i think this is _ if that happens? know, as i say, i think this is not _ if that happens? know, as i say, i think this is not just _ if that happens? know, as i say, i think this is notjust a _ if that happens? know, as i say, i think this is notjust a matter - if that happens? know, as i say, i think this is notjust a matter of l think this is notjust a matter of increasing economic costs, i think the economic costs are very significant and i think that will be an effective and telling pressure. it will be on the minds of the russian administration, the putin administration's decision—makers, however much they might like to bluster about it. we should continue

on that course. but i think we should remind ourselves as well that militarily, the action in ukraine has been so far a fiasco for putin. it has delivered none of the results that he expected. he has encountered extraordinary resistance and resilience from the ukrainian people and the ukrainian armed forces. and again, we should be keeping in mind, in my view, i think we should be ruling nothing out in terms of looking at how we go further. meaning what? in looking at how we go further. meaning what? looking at how we go further. meanin: what? ., , ., meaning what? in demonstrating there are military costs _ meaning what? in demonstrating there are military costs to _ meaning what? in demonstrating there are military costs to putin's _ are military costs to putin's actions. , ., are military costs to putin's actions, , ., ., are military costs to putin's actions. , ., ., m actions. sorry, meaning what? well, i think what — actions. sorry, meaning what? well, i think what i — actions. sorry, meaning what? well, i think what i mean _ actions. sorry, meaning what? well, i think what i mean is _ actions. sorry, meaning what? well, i think what i mean is something - i think what i mean is something thatis i think what i mean is something that is essentially a very general approach. i am saying that we rule nothing out. we are i don't think helping ourselves by saying, here is a menu of things, a list of things we won't do. i am not a military person myself but i can see an advantage in keeping your opponent

guessing, in keeping your enemy guessing, in keeping your enemy guessing, and i think that anything we can do that provokes uncertainty in the mind of putin as to what may happen next and as to how much further the costs of his war on ukraine may escalate, i think that as i say, we need to keep him guessing... as i say, we need to keep him guessing---— as i say, we need to keep him iiuessin... �* , ., ., ., guessing... but it is not hard for him to guess. — guessing... but it is not hard for him to guess, is _ guessing... but it is not hard for him to guess, is it? _ guessing... but it is not hard for him to guess, is it? forgive - guessing... but it is not hard for him to guess, is it? forgive me| guessing... but it is not hard for i him to guess, is it? forgive me for interrupting but it is not hard for him to guess after crimea, we did not do much, after mhi7 was shot down, after the poisonings in salisbury, we did not do very much. it is easy to guess what is next, not very much. i it is easy to guess what is next, not very much-— it is easy to guess what is next, not ve much. ., , , ., not very much. i would dispute that, actuall . not very much. i would dispute that, actually- but — not very much. i would dispute that, actually- but it _ not very much. i would dispute that, actually. but it is _ not very much. i would dispute that, actually. but it is because _ not very much. i would dispute that, actually. but it is because of- not very much. i would dispute that, actually. but it is because of the - actually. but it is because of the lack of action... _ actually. but it is because of the lack of action... sorry, - actually. but it is because of the lack of action... sorry, go - actually. but it is because of the| lack of action... sorry, go ahead. i'm sorry, i think that there is a lot of ground to suggest that putin has been extraordinarily out of touch in recent years. i think that

there is every value, as i say, in maintaining a broad front of options and measures, all designed at quickly driving up the cost of the aggression, the aggressive campaign that he is sustaining. and i think that he is sustaining. and i think that already, we are in a completely different league to where we were. yes, there was a degree of patience, there was a degree of caution in the responses to the previous episodes in putin's war on ukraine, and i sure that at that point, in the minds of the decision—makers, there was still an element of thinking, this is probably not the point to push right forward with the russia's complete disengagement from global

systems, we need to keep lines of communication open to russia, we need to ensure russia is understanding us and we need to ensure russia understands that there is actually a way back from this. i think that the situation we are in now is looking at responding to a much larger scale assault on ukraine and it is a situation that calls for the kind of multi—front, effective response that we need to sustain, the one that, as i say, drives up the one that, as i say, drives up the costs to putin of aggression on all fronts. ., ~' , ., the costs to putin of aggression on all fronts. ., ~ , ., ., ., all fronts. thank you for 'oining us. all fronts. thank you for 'oining simonfi all fronts. thank you for 'oining us. simon smith, * all fronts. thank you for 'oining us. simon smith, the h all fronts. thank you forjoining us. simon smith, the former. all fronts. thank you forjoining| us. simon smith, the former uk ambassador to ukraine, between 2012 and 2015. ukrainian cities including sumy and chernihiv in the north and irpin near kyiv have continued to suffer russian bombardments and mounting casualties as the war enters its eleventh day. our international correspondent

0rla guerin has more. this is the reality of russia's invasion. yevgen watches his family home ablaze, his children had left just ten minutes earlier. no military targets here, just his beloved german shepherd. all this is happening 16 miles from kyiv, in the town of irpin. it is home to about 60,000 people. today, many were desperate to get out. they crossed the river on foot. ukraine blew up the river on foot. ukraine blew up the bridge in self defence to prevent a russian advance. a hurried rescue mission in an escalating war.

we witnessed the exodus. frightened civilians. converging on buses bound for the railway station in the capital, and the next rain out. among them, this mother, with babe in arms, trying to comfort her daughter. leading the evacuation, the former ukrainian president, petro poroshenko, marshalling the crowds. he is pleading with nato to reconsider and impose a no—fly zone for the sake of all of those subjected to danger and indignity at the hands of vladimir putin. the russian is _ the hands of vladimir putin. tta: russian is completely bombing the air, the civilian people and you can see all these people are suffering from that. this is completely unacceptable. when we are asking for

a no—fly zone, this is exactly for these people, and with this situation, we need to protect them. katia tells us, "yesterday, they sheued katia tells us, "yesterday, they shelled day and night, hitting the hospital, the university and the tax office. they are shelling every day", she says. in the distance here, you can see the smoke is still rising. you get a sense of what people are fleeing from. there is a steady stream of people coming here now. they are carrying their bags, their suitcases, some of them have their suitcases, some of them have their pets. they are taking just what they can carry and rushing for the buses to try to get out of here and get to safety. do you feel let down by nato? um... i'm not sure- — do you feel let down by nato? um... i'm not sure- i _ do you feel let down by nato? um... i'm not sure. i think, _ do you feel let down by nato? um...

i'm not sure. i think, look, _ do you feel let down by nato? um... i'm not sure. i think, look, we - i'm not sure. ithink, look, we count on them, we still think that the chance is not missed yet. overhead, the russian threat. so far, nato is not taking the chance all the risk of closing disguise. ukraine claims to have shot down a russian helicopter north of the capital. this video seems to confirm that. president putin's invasion is not going to plan, but he still has plenty of firepower. orla guerin, bbc news, irpin. the deputy prime minister of ukraine has been speaking to the bbc. taste the deputy prime minister of ukraine has been speaking to the bbc. we see now that another _ has been speaking to the bbc. we see now that another wave _ has been speaking to the bbc. we see now that another wave of _ has been speaking to the bbc. we see now that another wave of this - now that another wave of this terrorist plan of the russian federation has started. given the strong resistance our army showed, now the operation is starting

against civilian populations, especially those towns and cities and villages which have been now under the control of the russian federation, many things are happening around them, physical pressure to the citizens, some of them are being killed. this is what we see. we have more than 2000 civilians who have already been attacked from direct literary attacks from the air but also through the land, military tactics right into the cities of ukraine, they have shelled hospitals, houses for kindergartens and schools, and ordinary households. this is how the reality looks. but it seems like it does not look like the agenda for the new wave of sanctions to be introduced by the democratic world, europe and the other groups. we are

working with our partners but the situation is growing more and more severe. we understand that it is not, far from the end severe. we understand that it is not, farfrom the end of severe. we understand that it is not, far from the end of the war, especially given our determination and the enormous losses the russian army bases, both in human dimensions, in terms of soldiers but also in terms of technics, it is something that does not deter russia but only encourages more aggression and it is also confirmed by intelligence around the world. can t intelligence around the world. can i ask ou intelligence around the world. can i ask you about _ intelligence around the world. can i ask you about mariupol, there's very little information coming out of there but we know the citizens are under very heavy attack. a ceasefire we understand it is going or is in place right now for the whole day. how much confidence do you have that that will hold, that those people will be able to get out?- will be able to get out? well, i will be able to get out? well, i will start by — will be able to get out? well, i will start by saying _ will be able to get out? well, i will start by saying that - will be able to get out? well, i will start by saying that this i will start by saying that this complicated situation is in many

other cities of ukraine, different parts, like sumy, castan, volnovakha and many other situations around ukraine which have been captured by russian terrorist groups and the russian terrorist groups and the russian army. but indeed, mariupol has been identified as the first point where we will test the agreement which has been reached bilaterally and also supported by the red cross and united nations on damaging the humanitarian corridor for providing humanitarian aid to the populations in the affected regions but also the evacuation of people. the first wave should have started yesterday. but we basically did not start it because of the shelling which was going on throughout the territory of the humanitarian corridor, first in mariupol and then volnovakha, and then today, hopefully, this

agreement will be implemented. we do not take a single step without informing the international organisation, the red cross, and obliging the red cross to have the confirmation of the agreement from both sides, ukraine and russia. we see the international red cross organisation can do much more but they still feel reluctant, not understanding that the war is happening right in the centre of europe so we have requested the facilitation and may be the observance of this bilateral dialogue to avoid losing time while people are suffering, so we hope that the icf do better in that regard but hopefully today we will be able to make the evacuation based on the agreement reached bilaterally between officials on both the ukrainian and russian sides. what ukrainian and russian sides. what about our ukrainian and russian sides. what about your safety? _ ukrainian and russian sides. what about your safety? you _ ukrainian and russian sides. what about your safety? you are in the government, you are the deputy prime

minister, what about president zelensky? are there armed russian units trying to assassinate the president? do you have a saturday —— have any information on that. tt is have any information on that. it is im ortant have any information on that. it is important when — have any information on that. ti 3 important when you are talking to and ukrainian citizens, especially politicians, we know the russian playbook by heart so when it comes to mariupol or the question you have just put, it is very clear to understand that they have a playbook and we never trust what they say, evenif and we never trust what they say, even if it is agreed and of course, we know that there is a willingness to identify the areas where the government is functioning together, or individually and especially it becomes more important for the russian administration because it's the first day of the war, the government has been fully operational. so we have been fulfilling all of our obligations,

social payments, budgetary payments, internal and external financial expenditures, implementation of the economic programmes in the military times, supporting the population directly and of course indirectly to support the people and each of our ministers is working on this direction to condemn the russian aggression and to make sure that the whole world knows that the price... does everything to let people know that the price of any war in a democratic state in the 21st century shall have its price. so knowing the government is fully operational, it becomes even more important for russia and the kremlin. the becomes even more important for russia and the kremlin.— becomes even more important for russia and the kremlin. the west has said they cannot _ russia and the kremlin. the west has said they cannot provide _ russia and the kremlin. the west has said they cannot provide and - russia and the kremlin. the west has said they cannot provide and they - said they cannot provide and they will not impose a no—fly zone, do you feel abandoned by the west when you feel abandoned by the west when you hear them say that? we have heard president zelensky ask for one over and over again.— over and over again. well, my president _ over and over again. well, my

president was _ over and over again. well, my president was as _ over and over again. well, my president was as precise - over and over again. well, my president was as precise as i over and over again. well, my president was as precise as it| over and over again. well, my. president was as precise as it is possible to be, and we absolutely support from the bottom of our hearts everything he has said because this is what we feel and it is very upsetting when a group of 30 leaders or ministers or even ambassadors are gathering themselves in a fancy cabinet with fancy furniture and talking about that fancy things, knowing that ukraine was over at this table for all of these years, sitting in these fancy offices but now knowing we can't be there because we are operating under there because we are operating under the bombardment of the russian federation and knowing that their intelligence also confirms that there are severe attacks on the civil population, including carpet bombarding of the cities, which are basically happening in these days already in some cities, already

taking place in the south and the civilian victims will be ukraine, having clarity of that, these certain leaders think they can sit on the feds of what would happen if they will do this but they are not thinking of what wouldn't happen if they would do this. we are very upset, and... they would do this. we are very upset. and---— they would do this. we are very upset, and... apologies, i can see ou upset, and... apologies, i can see you there — upset, and... apologies, i can see you there with _ upset, and... apologies, i can see you there with the _ upset, and... apologies, i can see you there with the sandbags i upset, and... apologies, i can see| you there with the sandbags behind you. is this a war that ukraine can win? and can i ask you, are you prepared to fight? taste win? and can i ask you, are you prepared to fight?— win? and can i ask you, are you prepared to fight? we are fighting for the eighth _ prepared to fight? we are fighting for the eighth year _ prepared to fight? we are fighting for the eighth year in _ prepared to fight? we are fighting for the eighth year in a _ prepared to fight? we are fighting for the eighth year in a row. i prepared to fight? we are fighting for the eighth year in a row. our l for the eighth year in a row. our army is as strong as it has never been. and basically, only for this, less than ten years of war, russia has faced more losses than jointly for the ten years of war in afghanistan and syria, so this is the other to your question. but what

you have to know about ukrainians is that as a nation, whether it is a battlefield or any other front, that as a nation, whether it is a battlefield or any otherfront, so speaking about the no—fly zone, we continue our efforts on the un... taste continue our efforts on the un... we are going to leave the deputy prime minister of ukraine for a moment. there is a live conference with the president of moldova, and us secretary of state, essentially the usa's foreign secretary, anthony blinken. translation: taste usa's foreign secretary, anthony blinken. translation:— blinken. translation: we do a - reciate blinken. translation: we do appreciate the _ blinken. translation: we do appreciate the firm _ blinken. translation: we do appreciate the firm support i blinken. translation: we do appreciate the firm support for blinken. translation: we do - appreciate the firm support for the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the republic of moldova as well as for our european path. i wish you visited our country in peaceful times, wish you visited our country in peacefultimes, in wish you visited our country in peaceful times, in the context of the anniversary of our bilateral relationship. we do have great plans for the transformation of moldova. we initiated the reform of the justice system, we started to

eliminate corruption from public institutions. we started working in order to improve the business environment, to attract investment into the government again, to encourage the development of local communities and to rethink the educational system of our country in order to prepare moldova to cope better with the challenges of the time. we want to build resilient, competitive prosperity, a country which invests in its people, and which invests in its people, and which is capable of channelling the energy and creativity of its citizens in order to be a place where people really want to live. the reality is we woke up on the 24th of february, however, and set our plans on hold. we are now living a dark period of time, a dark period of time for the whole region, where all efforts are being diverted in order to strengthen the society in

our one single objective, peace in the region. as far as you know, the war in ukraine is unfolding exactly next to our country. we feel contempt at the military aggression against ukraine, and we call for peace from the very first hour of the military actions. we continue calling for dialogue, as well as the possibility to identify some peaceful solutions as the only way to cease those violent actions against ukraine and its citizens. as against ukraine and its citizens. as a neutral country, a principle enshrined in our constitution, we decided to stretch the hand of help to the people which are directly affected by the war. from the very first hours of the armed attack against ukraine, moldova received on its territory the citizens from their neighbouring country which were trying to flee from the violence. over250,000

were trying to flee from the violence. over 250,000 people have crossed the border from violence. over 250,000 people have crossed the borderfrom ukraine violence. over 250,000 people have crossed the border from ukraine to the republic of moldova since the beginning of the war. a big part of those people are staying in our country so far. the employees of the public services, border police, customs officers, governors, medical doctors, social assistance, local authorities, and a lot of volunteers, mobilised their efforts in order to help out the refugees which are arriving from ukraine. thousands of people from all the regions of the countryjoined this effort. when entering the republic of moldova, the refugees immediately receive a hot meal, transportation and shelter in a temporary placement centre or even in the houses of our people. tens of thousands of families in the whole country have housed people from ukraine over those days. it is a significant effort for a country with a population which is below 3 million

and with quite humble incomes. but despite those high challenges, which represent these increasing influx of refugees from our neighbouring country, we can't turn our back on those people. the majority of refugees are women, children and the elderly. they crossed our border exhausted and desperate, after long hours ofjourneys, escaping from the war. it is our moral duty to help them out and we will continue fulfilling this mission to our best extent. dear secretary of state, the republic of moldova needs assistance and immediate and significant intervention of the international community so our people and economy can cope with this challenge and the influx of refugees. we need urgent assistance for the temporary accommodation of those people in order to offer them the most

necessary items and also to be capable of redirecting the inflow of refugees towards other countries which have a high capacity to receive them. some states have already expressed their availability to take up the refugees from ukraine, in the upcoming period of time but only through joint efforts and consistent efforts and the efforts of all the departments can we help out ukraine. we do need rapid assistance and involvement of the international community, first of all in order to cease the battles and restore the peace. i hope that the tour you have undertaken of those days in the countries in the region contributes, together with the visits of some other high—ranking officials to the peace efforts of ukraine. this is what we all want. this is what we all deserve, especially ukrainians. dear

secretary of state, the republic of moldova and the united states have developed a very good relationship for over 30 years of cooperation and practical relationship. i appreciate the strategic partnership between our countries and i hope that we will see each other again in some better times, when we will be able to discuss how to advance and move forwards on the subjects which are included on the bilateral agenda of our countries. i hope that your visit gives a new impetus to our partnership. we want to continue the political and security dialogue between our states, we want to develop projects which are directed towards the developers of energy resilience of our country as well as to advance other dialogue, and to collaborate in the field of asset of the country. the moldovan and american partnership will help us to strengthen the resilience of the republic of moldova, as well as to

strengthen the capacity of our country to cope with the challenges of the time while stronger, more resilient moldova can become a home of stability and development in the region. a trusted partner as well as a stronghold of democracy. thank you, mr president, now we pass the fault of the secretary of state, anthony blinken.— the fault of the secretary of state, anthony blinken. thank you so much for the very — anthony blinken. thank you so much for the very warm _ anthony blinken. thank you so much for the very warm welcome - anthony blinken. thank you so much for the very warm welcome to - anthony blinken. thank you so much for the very warm welcome to the i for the very warm welcome to the republic— for the very warm welcome to the republic of moldova. it has actually been on _ republic of moldova. it has actually been on a _ republic of moldova. it has actually been on a seven years to the day since _ been on a seven years to the day since nry— been on a seven years to the day since my last visit and it is great to be _ since my last visit and it is great to be back, _ since my last visit and it is great to be back, although, as you say, i wish _ to be back, although, as you say, i wish it_ to be back, although, as you say, i wish it was— to be back, although, as you say, i wish it was under somewhat different circumstances. thank you as well to the prime _ circumstances. thank you as well to the prime minister, the foreign minister. — the prime minister, the foreign

minister, all of our colleagues who have received us so well today and i'm have received us so well today and i'm also— have received us so well today and i'm also particularly glad that our new ambassador has arrived, i think 'ust new ambassador has arrived, i think just last _ new ambassador has arrived, i think just last month, for us, having confirmed _ just last month, for us, having confirmed ambassador is in place is vital fcu— confirmed ambassador is in place is vital for our — confirmed ambassador is in place is vital for our cooperation with countries _ vital for our cooperation with countries around the world and that is especially important now. in the 30 years— is especially important now. in the 30 years since moldova and the us began _ 30 years since moldova and the us began diplomatic relations, we have never— began diplomatic relations, we have never faced a moment as urgent and as challenging as the one we face today _ as challenging as the one we face today. russia's unprovoked, unwanted war on— today. russia's unprovoked, unwanted war on ukraine has kicked off a humanitarian crisis that is already having _ humanitarian crisis that is already having a _ humanitarian crisis that is already having a vast effect across the region. — having a vast effect across the region, including here in the repubiic— region, including here in the republic of moldova. as of today, as the president said, an estimated 240.000 — the president said, an estimated 240,000 people from ukraine have crossed _ 240,000 people from ukraine have crossed the border into moldova, fleeing _ crossed the border into moldova, fleeing for their lives. they are mostiy— fleeing for their lives. they are mostly women and children. their number— mostly women and children. their number will grow. as i told the

president. _ number will grow. as i told the president, moldova deserves the world's_ president, moldova deserves the world's gratitude for welcoming and protecting ukrainians, and as the prime _ protecting ukrainians, and as the prime minister, president, foreign minister— prime minister, president, foreign ministerand i prime minister, president, foreign minister and i discuss today, the united _ minister and i discuss today, the united states will do all we can to help moldova as it cares for people who have _ help moldova as it cares for people who have already been through so much _ who have already been through so much 0ur— who have already been through so much. ouradministration who have already been through so much. our administration has requested congress give $2.75 billion— requested congress give $2.75 billion in— requested congress give $2.75 billion in emergency assistance, humanitarian assistance, both to meet _ humanitarian assistance, both to meet the — humanitarian assistance, both to meet the needs of vulnerable communities inside ukraine and also to help _ communities inside ukraine and also to help countries like moldova support— to help countries like moldova support refugees and address the humanitarian crisis from outside ukraine — humanitarian crisis from outside ukraine. the international community also has _ ukraine. the international community also has a _ ukraine. the international community also has a responsibility to help moldova — also has a responsibility to help moldova deal with the impacts of war. moldova deal with the impacts of war we — moldova deal with the impacts of war. we will drive that message in aaron— war. we will drive that message in aaron gate — war. we will drive that message in aaron gate mentioned with international organisations and other— international organisations and other countries around the world. —— message _ other countries around the world. —— message in— other countries around the world. —— message in our engagement. russia's invasion— message in our engagement. russia's invasion of— message in our engagement. russia's

invasion of ukraine is a violation of ukraine — invasion of ukraine is a violation of ukraine cosmic sovereignty and territorial — of ukraine cosmic sovereignty and territorial integrity enshrined in the united nations charter. 141 countries — the united nations charter. 141 countries at the un stood up for those _ countries at the un stood up for those principles and against russia's_ those principles and against russia's assault on them. the united states— russia's assault on them. the united states wants to make clear our strong — states wants to make clear our strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including the republic of moldova _ countries, including the republic of moldova. countries have a right to choose _ moldova. countries have a right to choose their own futures. moldova has chosen — choose their own futures. moldova has chosen the path of democracy, a more _ has chosen the path of democracy, a more inclusive economy, a closer relationship with the countries and institutions of europe. the united states— institutions of europe. the united states supports moldova in those efforts, _ states supports moldova in those efforts, grounded in our respect for the neutrality that is enshrined in moidova's— the neutrality that is enshrined in moldova's constitution. our partnership addresses the key challenges of our time, the things that we _ challenges of our time, the things that we should be working on and focused _ that we should be working on and focused on, which is exactly another reason _ focused on, which is exactly another reason why— focused on, which is exactly another reason why this war of choice is such— reason why this war of choice is such a — reason why this war of choice is such a terrible thing. it takes us away— such a terrible thing. it takes us away from — such a terrible thing. it takes us away from the things we need to be working _ away from the things we need to be working on— away from the things we need to be working on together but we will continue — working on together but we will continue to do that. the united

states— continue to do that. the united states delivered hundreds of thousands of covid—19 vaccines to moldova — thousands of covid—19 vaccines to moldova and millions of dollars in pandemic— moldova and millions of dollars in pandemic relate is assistance. we will pandemic relate is assistance. we wiii invest— pandemic relate is assistance. we will invest $18 million over the next _ will invest $18 million over the next year— will invest $18 million over the next year to help strengthen and diversified moldova's energy sector, greater— diversified moldova's energy sector, greater energy security is vital for your sovereignty. we support the osc lead 52 _ your sovereignty. we support the osc lead 5.2 negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement to the trans- _ comprehensive settlement to the trans— mystery and conflict that upholds — trans— mystery and conflict that upholds moldova's territory —— sovereignty and territorial integrity with a special status for trans- _ integrity with a special status for trans— mystery and we will seek every— trans— mystery and we will seek every opportunity to deepen the ties between _ every opportunity to deepen the ties between our countries, economic, educational, people to people ties, because _ educational, people to people ties, because we want our friendship with the people _ because we want our friendship with the people of moldova to grow even stronger _ the people of moldova to grow even stronger. in the face of the global challenges we face today, we're all going _ challenges we face today, we're all going to _ challenges we face today, we're all going to be much more successful when _ going to be much more successful when we — going to be much more successful when we work closely together as partners. — when we work closely together as partners, especially democratic partners — partners, especially democratic partners. we know that countries that respect human rights, uphold the rule _

that respect human rights, uphold the rule of— that respect human rights, uphold the rule of law, support inclusive, accountable governance for all of