it's a highly controversy all opinion and multi ethnic moldova. many citizens reject the notion of resurrecting our breeder romania. this was their governments push toward the eu. especially the opposition. it's a big mistake to move towards europe. we need a referendum on the balance of power in the region mini blinds us to russia. rochelle was his job opportunities and secure energy supplies. it's from the west on this edition the trouble is people i know that large parts of the population is against the eu scheme. indeed it should. was he the economist southern region of the county already held a referendum on the issue. ninety percent of the turkish speaking ethnic minority are in favor of a customs union with russia moldova were to become remaining. the budget on court leader of the calcium has closer ties with the eu would threaten his regions of time. when in love with the german president or the american president to serve you coffee personally know the leader of the dallas the second please have some sugar awesome when traditionally russi

the republic of moldova >> chisinau is the capital of moldova - the poorest country in europe - where many young moldovans are often forced to go abroad just to survive. and it's this desperation which has meant that so many young women are often duped into the sex trafficking industry. >> for ion vizdoga, a lawyer who has represented more than 700 victims of sex trafficking, the story starts and ends with poverty. >> outside chisinau the reality of that poverty is stark: moldova is still a country largely reliant on subsistence farming.... >> we're heading for the small southern town of cauceni. we're going to meet a young woman who escaped from international sex slavery just a few weeks ago ... >> dorina is one of the luckier victims of international sex slavery. she is now receiving intensive counseling for her ordeal from a team of specialist volunteers. but many thousands like her get no help at all. in a small office in chisinau, volunteers for la strada - an international anti-trafficking ngo - run a hotline for women tricked - like dorina - into sexual slavery abroad. >> we ha

moldova is completely reliant on russian gas and has debts with billions. the moldovan government is, however, still holding onto and association agreement with the ee you. >> we are between a rock and a hard place. the crisis in ukraine is very dangerous for our country. we are being blackmailed and feel like we are in a bind. the european union is the only thing that can save us. >> that's what a lot of moldovans seem to think, too. officials at the romanian consulate are already estimating around 800,000 passport applications. >> i'm proud and grateful. here is my naturalization certificate. now i belong to the european union. >> but brussels is not happy. the view being eu circles is that without any agreements, romania is already triggering a stealth eu expansion from the east. >> the jewish community in france is the largest community in europe. since the end of world war ii, the number of jews in france has risen that lead to more than half a million today. a majority of them are from the former french colonies tunisia, morocco, algeria, but they war

for us it's about unification with moldova. the question is when is it a good time to talk about something like this. i think it's now. you can hand on national interests. his next project and we can say that very openly. it is the completion of the nation. it's that good intentions are. a few political parties in moldova have already thrown their weight behind the project romanian along with russian is the official language. and historically moldova was part of romania. that is until it came under russian rule in nineteen forty don't live by the beauty of the week. we went on to the sydney uni in the u s secret service and the time to call the files with them after the fall of the lancaster. he looked into that while politicians were vulnerable to blackmail for the last twenty two years that's also why nobody bothered about reunification with remaining. our coffee however is unambiguously in case her off at him. he was doing his bidding. it's a highly controversy all opinion and multi ethnic moldova. many citizens reject the n

why because i wanna live like we did back then moldova is the poorest country in europe the people who live in trends history and enjoy after retirement and other benefits for moscow valentino was outside the breakaway republic. so she got a transistor in passport issued to begin to manifest the thing you know who i have to mention is the institution. she and i were joking about me and paid my taxes a growing number of young adults opens are applying for trans history and passports. they allow mold of hands to work illegally in russia are not in western europe. no one here has said anything critical about russia to us we wonder whether the kremlin may be using liberal distribution of its passports to build support among the population of moldova. the former soviet republic to join the russian federation. some other news china is calling it a war on pollution. it's a push for greater growth after decades of neglect and beaten by a fall this week china's parliament the national people's congress is considering the first changes to environmental protection laws and twenty five years and g

david has our story. >> reporter: after crimea will moldova be next?ussian peace-keeping troops already man the border here. a fingernail of territory now trapped on the western frigs of ukraine. moldova's prime minister appealed to western leaders and russia to prevent his country falling apart after peting with his polish counterpart earlier this week. the strongest supporter of getting them into the european union. >> it is specially in our interests to see this -- this negative develops unrolling. so i hope we'll be able to come back to common sense and look at the real problems. >> reporter: the vineyards were the first target of russia when the country started the process of integration with western europe. last september they banned the import of its vines, which amount to a third of its total exports. this vast ukked ground wine cellar now fills a limestone quarry. all of the streets are named after varieties of grapes. this vine cellar is like an undergroukd city. it has more than 120 kilometers of roads, and 20 million liters of wine stored h

in moldova, they are very, very nervous because moldova is not part of nato.rans-nistria has 1400 russian troops there. they have been there for years. and the question is is what does vladimir putin do now? does he continue to foment unrest in the east? and it is hard for the government to function. or does he go across the south and take odessa, which is important to him, and then up to moldova? and the other, of course, is that he just continues to foment discontent and uprising and the little green men, and it makes it very difficult for this new government to function. and how difficult is it for them to have free and fair elections with the little green men running all over the place in eastern ukraine? >> so how do you stop him? >> let me tell you how far off base i think this administration is. they said they would not give them defensive weapons. they said they would give them meals ready to eat. they would not even fly them in on u.s. aircraft. they had to use trucks on u.s. military aircraft. they had to use trucks because they do not want to provok

you were just in moldova. as we try to learn from the things that we could have done or that the alliance could have months ukraine in the and years leading up to this crisis, which i'm not suggesting anyone could have foreseen what do you think are the most important steps to strengthen the transatlantic alliance with moldova to send the right message to russia and to perhaps prepare them for the potential of some kind of offensive action from russian -- >> we have intensified our collaboration and cooperation with moldova. secretary kerry was there in december. as you said, i was there again a week ago sunday. our primary effort with moldova has been to support their preparations for an association agreement signing with the andpean union and the deep comprehensive free-trade agreement. both of these will strengthen their trade and travel and links to europe and give them more options than simply the russian market. we are also working intensively with them on energy security and alternative sources. we are

we are intensified our cooperation with moldova. secretary kerry was there in december and i was there a week ago sunday. our primary effort with moldova has been to support their preparation for an association agreement signing with the european union and the deepened comprehensive trade agreement because both strengthen trade and travel and length to russia and give them more options than the russian marx market. we are working with energy security and investing with romania and helping them diversify their trade market. they are trying to export some of their wonderful wine into the united states and we are linked them up with a number of key distributors. they have a project that supports bringing water to the people and we are doing those things and supporting their path to elections at well in the fall. a very important of set elections for them. it is a key moment. we are also trying to help them -- one thing that was somewhat distressing on my last trip was whereas there is strong support in moldova for tighter links with ru

as you know we have intensified our collaboration cooperation with moldova. secretary kerry was there in december. as you said i was there again a week ago sunday. our primary effort with moldova has been to support their preparations for an association agreement signing, and with the european union, and the deep coverage of free trade agreement because both of these will strengthen their trade and travel and links to europe and give them more options than simply a russian market. we are also working intensively with them on energy security and alternative sources. we are investing with the european union in interconnector's with romania. we are also helping them diversify their trade market. they are trying to import some other spectacular wine, which i hope you'll simple, senator thompson, when you're the end to the mistake that reflect -- link them up with a number of key u.s. distributors. were also helping, they have a millennium challenge conduct as you know which supports bringing agriculture to market. a road and water support. so we're doing all thos

separating it from moldova after the collapse of the soviet union. we look at whether the territory could be the next crimea. >> celebration of the miracle of the east. when the capital of the state that the world does not recognise. it's a country of half a million souls in a territory on the western border. >> it. >> vladimir putin to recognise it as a separate state. >> this is nothing but an exercise in democracy if we let the people do what they want. >> in the capital the symbols of the old soviet union have pride of place. at the end it led to a civil war. the region broke away from moldova to protect language and links with russia. more than 1,000 were killed in the bitter fighting on the east bank of the river. moscow ordered the troops to intervene. the kremlin soldiers were a mess. politicians would like to stay as defenders. >> people in crimea voted for it. to some extent, there is a jealousy in our situation. >> sandwiched between a casino and shop selling soviet memorabilia, two breakaway regions, equally unrecognized bit the world are

: after crimea will moldova be next? peace-keeping troops already man the border posts here. the kremlin supports the region after a bloody civil war in the early '90s. now trapped on the western fringes of ukraine. moldova's prime minister appealed to western leaders and russia to prevent his country from falling apart. >> it's not in the interest here in the west nor with russia, but especially not for our interests which are in the middle to see this -- this negative development. so i hope we'll be able to come back to common sense and look at the real problems. >> reporter: the vineyards were the first target of russia when the country started the process of integration with western europe. last september they banned the import of its wines which amounted to a third of its total exports. this wine cellar now fills a limestone quarry, which was used to help rebuild the capitol after the second world war. this wine cellar is like an underground city. it has more than 120 kilometers of roads, and there are 20 million li

and it is feared they are already based in an area that broke away from moldova in a bitter civil warthe conflict has been frozen ever since, but ukraine has warned that attempts are being made to smuggle weapons and men. they are banning russian passport holders from crossing the border. the issue was raised with the u.s. secretary of state. >> near 200 have been stopped and denied access. this reflects a concern on the ukrainian side that there have been young people moving across the border, carrying weapons, attempting to smuggle with intentions to stir up trouble, to be provocateurs. >> reporter: ukraine's border posts are now on ful -- full alert. david chater, al jazeera, moldova. >>> now to brazil where a fire has destroyed a [ inaudible ] in rio de janeiro. over 360 shacks were destroyed. at least four people suffered injuries, poor electrical wiring is being blamed. the areas are noter orious for their maze of electrical cables. >>> a huge after shock rocks chile just one day after the powerf powerful earthquake hit the country. six people were killed in tuesday's earthquake

>> yes, a tiny little region encircled by ukraine, but it's of moldova, they are very russian-leaning. in fact, i read today -- i haven't confirmed this, but at one point they voted to join russia and rust said no thanks. but russians hav have troops the and russia is making noise we'd like a land bridge from crimea to moldova. and now the commander of europe, breedlove, expressed worry about that. so the key point is putin has many instruments at his disposal other than outright invasion and that is destabilization of ukraine, economically, politically and many other ways to make all the other states around russia very antsy. >> ifill: no one is taking their eye off the ball on. this thank you, margaret and welcome home. >> thank you. >> woodruff: now, a look at a moment when national security interests trumped ethical concerns. jeffrey brown has our book conversation. >> reporter: nazi scientists, some tied to war crimes including horrific concentration camp experiments left the u.s. in a secret program to advance american security interests during the cold war. it sounds like the p

>> no, in moldova and the baltics. putin is putting all kinds of pressure on the baltics right now moldova particularly they are extremely nervous because they don't have the protection of article 5 of the north atlantic treaty. >> rose: if ukraine were part of nato we would have been committed by treaty. >> we would have been. and to be honest with you, if we didn't do it, that's the end of nato. that is the end. and frankly i'm not sure what this president would have done if ukraine had been part of nato. >> rose: what do you think is his philosophy. >> putin? >> rose: no, obama. >> the president. >> rose: what do you think he says as his ingame here. >> i don't think the president believes in american exceptionalism. he won the nomination by going against the war in iraq. he gained the presidency on the pledge we would get out of all these wars, etcetera. >> rose: do you know he won the presidency or the non-nation. >> he won the nomination because of his vote against. but once he came to the presidency he wanted to

at the end of the cold war, it led to a civil war, as the region broke away from moldova to protect their language and links with russia. more than 1,000 people were killed in the bitter fighting on the eastern banks of the river. it was only quelled when moscow ordered troops to intervene. the kremlin soldiers remain as peacekeepers, and politicians would like them to stay as defenders of a new sovereign republic. >> people in crimea voted for it. to some extent there is a jealousy in our situation. >> and witched between a casino and a shop selling soviet memor a billia. two breakaway regions of georgia, unrecognized by the world, and now hosting russian troops. the american senator john mccain visiting moldova made clear his views of the russian strategy. >> russia is a gas station masquerading as a country and i apologise for that, actually it's a mafia-run gas station masquerading as a country. >> on the banks of the river, established by the bedouins, taken by the ottomans in the 16th century and captured by the russians in the 18th century. >> for eight centuries, this has been an

secretary of state on her latest visit to moldova. >> nearly 200 have been stopped and denied access. this reflects a concern on the ukrainian side that there has been young people moving across the border, carrying weapons, teaming to smuggle with intentions to stir up trouble, to be provocateurs. ukraine's border post are now on full alert, but moscow says kiev is imposing what amounts to an economic blockade of the breakaway region. >> armed men have kidnapped two women from a resort in malaysia's eastern states. a chinese tourist and filipino hotel worker were taken. they were on a resort popular with the chinese. the armed men were believed from the filipino fighter group abosyav. no one has claimed responsibility. let's check the latest. why do we think that group may be behind the abduction? >> well, i have spoken to the philippine military based out of the rest of part of the the philippines. they say the way the abduction has been conducted. they believe that a group of armed men sailed from the short stretch of water between so rrk u to the eastern part of malaysia and have

. >>> a move by separatists in neighboring moldova may also overshadow the meeting. lawmakers in the eastern region of transdniestria have passed a resolution. they are calling on russian leaders to recognize their independence. analysts say the resolution may be aimed at pressuring ukraine's interim leaders ahead of the talks in geneva. residents of transdniestria unilaterally declared independence from moldova in 1990. the move sparked an armed conflict that lasted until 1992, when opposing sides reached a cease-fire agreement. russia's government then sent in peace keepers and still has a strong influence on the region. authorities in transdniestria held a referendum in 2006. they say more than 90% of residents voted to make the region independent and then joined russia. >>> all right. to the latest in business now. data out of china shows that overseas businesses continue to see a lot of promise. foreign investment in the first quarter of 2014 rose more than 5% from a year ago. but investment from japan plunged nearly 50% due to souring bilateral ties. officials

decision to appeal to russian president vladimir putin to recognize the region's independence from moldova to neil diamond's government unequivocally projects. last month russia and extraneous after referendum in the southern ukrainian regions and a few that moscow may also have to say is history and insights. or is this race but away from although in eighteen ninety eight euro for the dissolution of the soviet union and its peers in moldova was shortly merged with neighboring romania this language and culture it profit shares. all those times in just five hundred and fifty thousand people been occupies about one eight the mall building territory trays israel holds a significant share of those industry was the russian private investors allen and pastoral companies including a steel plant and hydroelectric station. some fifty thousand trees history and it worked in factories or drive chiefly erection and sent home cash that keeps the economy ticking. and aggression influence in that region could spell more trouble for the government here says tracy st is situated in ukraine south east borde

moldova and kiev moving to europe. here we move in the opposite direction. we respect their choice, but for stability sake and the long-term tragedy of conflict, we must respect the opinion of the people that live here. >> outside the russian embassy long queues of people gather to get a passport. theirs are not recognised by any country. they feel it's a key to unlock jobs and the future for them. >> reporter: what happens next is in moscow's hands. will they recognise it as an independent state or will vladimir putin issue a decree like with crimea, and make it part of the russian federation. >> work crews were in force preparing for the 70th liberation from german and the ukrainian occupation. they saw a threat from the west and salvation from the east. >>> two female protesters have been killed during anti-coup demonstrations in egypt. they were shot. demonstrations have been intensifies across the country before the presidential elections next month. >>> jazz continues to call for -- al jazeera continues to call for the release of three journalists held

. >> like georgia and ukraine, moldova is a former state of the soviet represent. it's currently negotiating an association agreement to bring it in line with european standards and regulations. that's worry be small scale producers who say they won't be able to afford the cost of keeping up. we have more details. >> 95% of honey is produced by bekeepers like ivan, with who i was in their back garden. it's a way of getting extra money in europe's poorest country, but the average monthly wage is around $30 and where tens of thousands of young men have been forced to find work abroad, most of them in russia. that used to be where most of his honey went, as well, but the bequichers are searching for new markets. the problem is a lot of and the bites are used to keep the who i was healthy, which rules out the european union. they simply cannot afford the costs of getting their money combs inspected and certified. >> it's not really worth it. >> we thought someone would be able to help us. so far, all we can do is work hard, make a good quality product and enjoy the pro

all the way in nineteen ninety eight euro for the dissolution of the soviet union amid fears that moldova were shortly merged with neighboring romania whose language and culture it probably shares. all those times it is five hundred and fifty thousand people and occupies about one eight the mall building territory trade says she holds a significant share of those industry. the russian private investors allen in the steel companies including a steel plant and hydroelectric station. some fifty thousand trees history and to work in factories or brian chiefly erection and sent home cash that keeps the economy ticking. and aggression influence in that region could spell more trouble for the government in kiev says tracy st is situated in ukraine southeast border near the vital port city of augusta. here's a screen or receive provocations by pro russian activists in ukraine's east could stir up unrest and other frozen conflict zones and aggression more reason to extend its reach iraq. the controversial program that allowed near a police department it right down the everyday lives of muslims liv

>> and don't forget about moldova. >> use all bloomberg headline on moldova. the bloomberg headline on moldova. nsnistria, a little russian sliver of moldova. >> we make jokes about it but it is the respect >> they want to join russia much the way crimea did. it is a self-proclaimed republic at this point. moldovan efforts to cozy up to the ooh much as the ukraine did is threatening the survival. >> richard falkenrath will join us for the entire 7:00 hour. >> banks are getting ready to report their first-quarter earnings number and citigroup will miss a key possible -- profitability target after the fed rejected a plan to return cash to show holders. this was return for tangible equity. this is not a headline number. it is a way for investors to compare the profitability of one bank to another. a big deal for michael corbett, the ceo. >> he is a credibility ceo. he came in to correct the mistakes on the likes of vikram pandit, for example, or even before him, sandy weil. and the first 15 months under mr. corbat went well and then they uncovered a $40 million f

i'm joined by jeffrey goldberg, jeffrey has just returned from eastern ukraine and moldova. let's talk about what putin is up to and you've got ground truth from quha you see. >> one ground truth in moldova that could be the next victim, is that no one i met, whether they are pro-russia or anti--russia no one believes it is finished and putin is going to keep move are forward bringing more and more territory into his orbit, either threw direct occupation or proxies or building occupations or however. so he might order the removal of these pro testers from these buildings if they listen to them. they might be more radical than the radical. this is like water making crevices and finding whatever path it can find. you're going to see manifestations of this expansionism in a million different places and million different ways i think. >> is putin going to be at all influenced by what happened in geneva? >> you know, i think the fair money is on no, you know. this is not -- this is not iran. it is not a susceptible to sanctions and international pressure and the sanctions aren't

ukraine to be moldova very soon. .t could be latvia and estonia members of the european union. how we in the west rise to the challenge says as much about us as it does about russia. that is why we need to respond. are we going to place business interest at of principles, and had of what we stand for, against the false topo further engagement or efforts for strategic partnership? expectlationship can we with a regime that does not give a dam about the human rights of its own citizens? putin has fabricated the threats to russia and ukraine. it is time to state the truth and let people know what is going on. it is no longer time for wait and see. it is time for action. it is time for solidarity with ukraine, moldova, georgia. putin is the leader in authoritarianism. we need to see containment of his efforts, we need to pushback against what he is trying to do. at the end of the day, this is about a fight for freedom and vladimir putin poses one of the greatest threats to it. >> andrew will go now and he will talk about how the time is to engage russia as opposed to containing. >>

aljazeera, moldova. >> the region technically broke away from moldova in 1990 but is not officially recognized>> the u.s. and china are butting heads over beijing escalating territorial disputes with its neighbors, chuck hagel criticizing china for setting up an air defense zone while meeting with his chinese counterpart. >> every nation has a right to establish air defense zones, but not a right to do it unilaterally with no collaboration, no consultation. that adds to tensions, misunderstandings, and could eventually add to and eventually get to dangerous conflict. >> now china claims 90% of the south china sea where the pill teens also stake claims, it also has a separate dispute with japan over uninhabited land curveball controlled by japan. gordon change is auditor of the coming collapse of china. good morning. >> good morning. >> now one big reason the secretary of defense in china is over fear about tensions rising in the region. you maintain that they are at the boiling point and actually will lead to war. why? >> right now, you have for instance, the japanese prime minister in davos i

aljazeera, moldova. >> russia is making one exception in its ban on wines made in moldova.rs in an autonomous region will be allowed to import their product to say russia. >> g.m. executives will not be the only ones headed to capitol hill, caterpillar facing lawmakers, being questioned about a strategy that allowed it to avoid a $2.4 billion tax bill. they shimmed products over sea to say avoid taxes. the report does not accuse of machinery maker of breaking the law. it will be determined if it violated rules. >> automakers get set to release sales numbers this morning. general motors will be watched after its massive recalls. one industry watcher said g.m. can survive them. >> consumers that love g.m. will always buy g.m. they are not going out of business and the product they have now, the new corvette, camaro, chevy silverado truck have brought a lot of positive attention to g.m. >> wall street waiting on a survey of the manufacturing session, dow futures up ahead of that report, the dow getting set to quick off the second quarter. >> the f.b.i. may investigate high fre

the area is governed by moldova. it's long-felt connected to moscow. >> reporter: celebrations of the miracle of easter in the capital of a state the world does not recognise. it's a country of half a million souls in a slin thither of territory on the western border. they urge vladimir putin to recognise them as an independent state. seems the kremlin has been hearing prayers. >> this is nothing else but an exercise in democracy if we let the people do what they want. >> this the capital, the symbols of the old soviet union have pride of place. but the end of the cold war led to a civil war here. as the region broke away from moldova to protect the language of russia. more than 1,000 were killed. it was quelled when moscow ordered troops to intervene. many would like the soviet peacekeepers to stay as defenders. >> we are a little - there's a jel osy in our situation. >> sandwiched between a casino and a shop selling soviet memorabilia. two breakaway regions of georgia, equally unrecognized by the world and hosting

this has consequences for people living in the south eastern between moldova and ukraine. nationalistic armed units, and of course, that situation should be stopped as soon as possible. and finally, people should begin -- be given the right to decide their own destiny and that's what we're going to work on it with our partners on the basis to live there. >> tatiana, you have the floor again. >> mr. putin, another interesting question. russia actually made an annexation of crimea. so does this mean there is any guarantee of sovereignty in the world? >> russia didn't acquire ukraine by force. russia created the conditions of the conditions for forces and armed forces but we created the conditions for the free expression of will of people living in crimea but the decision about joining russia was made by crimea itself. russia responded to that call and accepted crimea into our family. it's only natural. it couldn't have happened differently. and as for the factor of force, in international affairs, it is a good thing and it will be there always. that's not the point. the poin

people are living much better here than in moldova. >> president putin's cheefnlgtps achievements are very plan here. he hosted the most successful olympics in history and oh yes, he took back crimea. putin's latest move will also progressive popular here. relaxing requirements to get a russian passport. you just have to be fluent in russian or live in the foremost soviet union. david chater, transnitzria. >> family members of south korean are ferry capsizing, 87 bodies recovered so far. harry fawcett with more. >> the man in the cross hairs of public anger like no one else from south korea. these images from 2010 show ejin sok at the helm of another ferry. four years later, that's exactly what hundreds of young passengers on the sewol did. staying in place. the captain was first to be rescued. south korean president saved nothing had a scathing personal condemnation of the captain. >> bof all the conduct of the captain and some crew members is wholly unfathomable. i.t. was an act of murder that cannot and should not are tolerated. >> extending the ferry's operating life by ten years,

the world bank prear predicts p, from moldova after the collapse of the soviet union in 1991. >>> the majority of transnistria the opinions and the large very much shared. in 111 takofsky street we met lydia, the 96-year-old and the >> the kremlin also provides curt prize gas and pet role to transnitsria,. >> we hope russia will recognize transnitsria's independence. causing trouble for us. >> in the nearby village, the congregation celebrating an easter monday service was made up in equal portion he of ethnic russian he, ukrainians and moldovans. we met a bulgarian who teaches art in the local school where lessons are held in both russian and mol moldovan. >> the banks of the river were filled with people enjoying a holiday barbecue. i joined one family to sound out their opinions. >> ukrainians say wherever russia enters things get worse. it's quite the opposite. people are living much better than here than moldova. >> approving very popular here it says he paid back $400 billion of foreign debt. he hosted the most successful olympics in history and oh yes, he took back crimea. puti

and i spoke to the prime minister of moldova last week and he was practically visiting for a visit fromuch down? >> just a touch down and tell them why looking west matters, why freedom and democracy matters. he said it would do wonders for his country. maybe he's overly hopeful but people all over the world believe in america and believe that a friendship with america is good for them and it's good for freedom. >> julia, you want to weigh in here, i can tell. >> you know, president obama is showing up in moldova doesn't mean that much. if he showed up in the square of donetsk doesn't mean that much. everyone knows that the u.s. is not going to go into war over that. >> president obama and the american people are very war-weary and he's not willing to send u.s. troop to defend ukraine. >> obviously there's two different categories. a nato relationship and those who are not. especially because -- and this is the problem for these countries, those countries haven't shown themselves to be very competent in defending themselves and we see that. >> there have been other western countries tha

moldova and kiev moving towards europe. here we are moving in completely the opposite direction.ct their choice but stability's sake and for the long term strategy of resolving conflict, we must respect the people who live here. >> reporter: outside the russian embassy, fall long queues of people every morning to get a passport. they feel it's the key that will unlock jobs and the future for them. what happens here next is very much in moscow's hands. will they recognize its as an independent state or will president putin issue a decree and make it part of the russian federation. work crews were outin force preparing for the 70th anniversary of their liberation from german and romanian occupation. they have always seen a threat from the west and salvation from the east. >>> the price of petro in iran has jumped over night. it's part of a president lead by the president to try to cut government spending and reduce subsidies on a rangeover goods. caroline has more. irans have some of the cheapest oil in the world. but the price went up from 12 to 20 corrects a liter. >> translator:

the end of the cold war led to a civil war as the region broke away from moldova to protect language and links with russia. more than 1,000 were killed on the eastern banks of the river. it was quelled when moscow ordered troops to intervene. the kremlin soldiers are peacekeepers until day. many politicians would like them to stay as defenders of a sovereign republic. >> to some extent, there is a jealousy in our situation. >> sandwiched between a casino and a shop selling memorabilia, the embassies in ossetia. two breakaway regions of georgia, unrecognized by the world and hosting russian troops. >> the american ceremony visited moldova made clear his views of the russian strat gi. >> russia is a gas station masquerading as a country and i apologise for that because actually it's a mafia-run gas station. >> opened by the 13th century, taken by ut ottomans, and captured by the russians in the 18th century. >> for eight centuries it guarded the trade routes to the east. now it's set to become a battle ground between a russia and expanding europe. >> set between the east and the west.

. >> now moldova on ukraine's western border is dealing with its own small province that wants to return to russia. more people there feel more in line with the kremlin than europe. >> reporter: history has driven many paths through moldova. the welcome sign above this musical academy shows the languages used here, turkish, monthlmonthly domoldovaen and r. the president of the autonomous region made us turkish coffee before explaining why he's so opposed to joining the european union. >> the e.u. is patting them on the shoulder and telling them that they're doing a good job. this is not a success story. this is a story of corruption, thievery, human rights abuses and discrimination against ethic minorities. >> reporter: in a referendum here 89.5% of the people voted to join the customs unions that's president putins special plan to integrate the trade use of the old soviet union. >> reporter: the export of the wine may explain why, the exports go to countries that have already signed to be part of putin's plan. >> laboring in the heat of midday preparing the ground these women earn just

an area in moldova recently held a similar referendum.le there feel more aligned to russia than europe. >> reporter: history has driven many paths through moldova's southern region, but russian tanks will be needed to reclaim it from moscow. the language here is turkish, moll doe van, and russian. there are tur kick christian people. this man made us turkish coffee before explaining the situation. >> translator: the eu is patting them on the shoulder and telling them they are doing a good job. this is not a success story. it is a story of corruption, thievery, human rights abuses, and discrimination against ethnic minorities. >> reporter: 98.5% of the people voted to join the ur asian union. the export of the wine shows why, the bulk of them go to russia. all of whom have already signed up for putin's plan. these wine producers were toasting their president. he has just returned from moscow, and got the ban of import of wine lifted. laboring in the heat of midday, these women earn just $10 a day. >> translator: our bosses want us to join

this state broke away from maul z moldova more than two decades ago.hey are prepared to defending a country that is yet unrecognized even by russia. >> translator: we raise our young people in the spirit of patriotism, a love for the motherland. >> reporter: the president of transinistra insisted his country lay in the orbit, and issal alarmed by what is happening in your next question. >> this is the worst thing that could possibly happen. moldova and kiev moving towards europe, here we are moving in completely the opposite direction. we respect their choice but for stability sake, we must respect the opinion of the people who live here. >> reporter: outside the russian embassy in the capitol, long coups of people gather every morning to get a pranceport. the transinistra ones are not recognized by any other country. they feel it is the key that will unlock jobs and the future for them. what happens next is very much in moscow's hands will they recognize it as a independent state or will president putin issue a decree and make it part of the russian n

how moldova on ukraine's western border is dealing with its own small province that wants to return to russia. most people there feel more aligned to the kremlin than they do to europe. >> history has driven many paths through the region, but tanks were needed to reclaim it from moscow. the welcome sign shows the language is used here turkish, moldovaen and russian. the priest in this church hold it in all these. the president made this turkish coffee before explaining why he's so opposed to joining the european union. >> for the last 20 years the leaders of the capitol have been robbing people blind while they're screaming they're moving towards europe. the e.u. pat them on the southern and tell them they are doing a good job. this is a story of corruption, thievery, and discrimination against ethnic minorities. >> in a referendum here in february, 98.5% of the people voted to join the eurasian custom union, reintegrate the trade roots of the old soviet union. and this shows why, imports go to countries that already signed up for putin's plan. these wine toasters are toasting the pres

>> there is a russian speaking breakaway province in moldova. potential frontline issue. >> this is an important issue. >> i want to bring in my morning must-read. it is from thomas friedman of "the new york times." he says putin does not strike me as a chess player. he says, if we are going to play , we need to be serious. if not, we need to tell the ukrainians to cut the best deal with russia now. >> that is maybe what we should have done in syria. if we are not going to ratchet the sanctions, we should tell them to cut a better deal. if we are not going to go and surprise -- provide significant aid, maybe they should. check more into the foreign policy? >> we do not have the rest of the teammates read that germany -- they are not on the ice with you. helima and i were talking off-camera, putin knows all this. the sanctions we are working around not even viable. the germans are not going to do them. >> does russia gets a cheap even michael holland has to look at it? >> that is a great question. the answer is yes. gas is goinghe from payment in

land locking ukraine and going all over to moldova, which is vladimir putin's next target.d. >> how do you know that? i know you are on your way to moldova after you get through with the baltic states. >> yep. >> how do you know that putin has science on yet another country? because he has on many occasions stated the worst thing breakup of the soviet union. he has made no bones about his attempts to restore the quote near abroad. he has 14 hundred russian troops stationed there in violation of previous agreements. and it's it everything what he is about. and i have been here in the baltic countries, and i can tell you they are very very nervous. even though they are members of nato, which, according to article 5, means an attack on all -- on one is an attack on all. i would get them the weapons. i would restart our missile defense systems. i would get them economic assistance. i would make sure that we take -- have military exercises, including some semi permanent military forces stationed in the baltic countries. there is a number of steps most powerful nation in the worl

. >> across ukraine's western border in neighbouring moldova there has been pro and anti-russian protests. demonstrators marched saying they didn't want the crimean matter repeated here, they are pushing head with an e.u. trade deal despite opposition. >> australian search ships have detected signals from what is suspected to be the black boxes from mh370. the chief search coordinator says it helped narrow down the arch area, but they -- search area, but they can't confirm anything until wreckage of the plane is found. it's months exhibits the plain disappeared, with 239 people on board. >> clearly this is a most promising lead. and probably in the search so far, it's the - it's probably the best information that we have had. the area in which the signals have been received has a depth of approximately 4,500 metres. this is also the limited cape ability of the autonomous underwater vehicle. i need to be honest with you. it could take some days before the information is available to establish whether these detections can by confirmed as being from mh370. >> still to come on al jazeera - hu

we're very grateful all that you well-traveled next week or this weekend to moldova they will appreciatethe support. we have intensified political and economic support and to the other states and this effort to build be sustained. the huge trade crisis highlights another challenge the protestors had many grievances but one of the most galvanizing was the pervasive corruption that wasn't used every aspect of the ukraine society as secretary kerry highlighted at the security conference we are seeing a similar disturbing trend where through eastern europe and the balkans for the aspirations of citizens are trampled by the interest that use their money and influence to stifle political opposition and dissent to by the media outlets and we can just roll independence of the judicial lowe's. we also see if these corrupt politicians working together across national lines to help maintain their influence to keep the cash flowing to keep their system. corruption of this kind does not just brought a democracy from the inside but makes them for the ball from the outside of the country to seek of und

off to the socialists lost control of moldova hundred and fifty pounds to the roque some seat belts this nomination is a sign that obama is looking to get his government and its overall direction of major shake up. it's amazing i was sick each time instead of to type the message of his ak post is from sharing in sunday's polls. did any of the month his interpretation is paying tenants on several fronts. the fires had been seen as a referendum on who lost to corruption allegations. the main opposition chp part in that i cannot connect to the fruit had expected to head back to the staff trying to coordinate the testers are calling for the county none currently cheesy pasta goes to the akp finest one percent of the campaign had been conducted to make government tightening its grip on the colts a patch of thousands of police officers and cook it with daddy and i do intend to stand across town told to choose which the emails you might be a case as it should hold on to research and consultancy says the index was up to snuff made. this being ignored or tolerate its lead to the top ten is about

on to say he's asked for help from friends who have come here from russia, belarus, kazakhstan and moldova. but ukraine's government claims it's identified several militants as russian agents. they allege this man is a russian special forces officer. we believe we spotted him wednesday as he road through slaviansk on the back of a tank though we have no way to have proving his identity. when we asked separatists wearing masks who they were, they were overcome with shyness. can you tell me are you ukrainian or russian? >> i'm just a person. you're just a person. >> yes. >> reporter: you won't tell me? >> no. >> pelley: well, they don't talk to holly williams, but we will. holly, i have a question. the population in eastern ukraine, it's not as heavily ethnic russian as crimea. what is the popularity, if you will, of the idea of joining russia there? >> reporter: well, scott, around three-quarters of people in this region are russian speaking and many of them look back with nostalgia to when ukraine was part of the soviet union. many of those people want closer ties with moscow, but others a