sunday by not allowing people to set up voting booths and burning election materials in eastern ukraine. ukraine won independence from moscow more than two decades ago. pope francis has a full schedule for the last day of his three-day trip to israel. he prayed at jerusalem's western wall this morning, the holiest place where jewish people can pray. later, he will visit the site of the last supper. >> the solution for to states should become a reality and not just remain a dream. >> pope francis invited the leaders of israel and the palestinian authority to the vatican for a peace initiative. palestinian president mahmoud abbas has already accepted. a zoo in the philippines is letting visitors get up close and personal with the snakes ... and, it's supposed to be relaxing! the zoo is offering snake massages. guests lie down while 13-foot

ukraine including the very important. imf program for this week to help ukraine stabilize and reform its economy. and as ukrainian forces moved to restore order in eastern ukraine. it is obvious to the world of these russian backed groups are not peaceful protesters. there we are militants. four received significant support from russia russian leadership must know that if it continues to de stabilize eastern ukraine. and disrupt this month's presidential election we will move quickly on additional steps. me on tuesday night dustin and i know. what if it is a key link in the ukraine ukraine on the basis of self determination and commentaries as the bridge they were still learning to use the twentieth of may it's a very crucial thing to learn to love and we will see to it. a scene in nice the time to move on to the mine. the twenty fifth of may is not for the coloration that nobody went on in my state taxes that are eaten by the private sector will be unavoidable but this time when we ask me. she sent a message to the question is which. we are the meek and the song on the ticket collector chance. in it. i know. the nation has described the bench this morning in e

natural gas from existing type line into ukraine and further developing ukraine's natural gas resources. encouraging energy efficiency rarely makes headlines. in ukraine, it could be a game changer. ukraine produces as much gas as it uses. the ukrainians are notoriously profligate energy users. banks get government energy subsidies. by implementing efficiency measures, ukraine could be nearly self-sufficient. i think these efforts to use american resources to bolster foreign policy are admirable. it will become increasingly important over the next decade will stop however, we must not -- lose sight of the side effects of our current energy boom. a brookings energy initiative study found that u.s. exports would have a modest impact on domestic prices. ,ven this modest increase estimated to be around $50, would be damaging to low income and tumors. that consumers. they would to choose between heating their homes and buying food. an increase in exports should go hand-in-hand with funding of low income energy assistance. let's not also forget the businesses and manufacturers. they have built plans around low price gas. would be offset by the loss of jobs

ukraine remain open, or is there still a threat russia will shut it off? >> it appears some progress has been made, but there was no breakthrough in negotiations between ukraine and russia on gas supplies. we heard ukraine said that it has transferred a big chunk of money, 786 million u.s. dollars, to russia in payment for some gas supplies. but that money has not arrived, and russia says, let's see the money and then we will talk some more. as the eu energy commissioner has said, it all depends on finding a functional bank in new york and having a bit of patience. the money was supposed to be transferred from kiev to new york to moscow. everything depends on the money getting their. that will determine whether ukraine to keep its gas supplies flowing from russia, and by extension whether the european union is going to get its gas supplies that run through ukraine. >> that is my next question. how big is the threat that europe will also lose access to gas? >> again, these are tough times. if that money lands in the account in moscow on monday, negotiations will continue in brussels towards a complete package. but we simply do not know. we do know that about a quarter of the european union gas supplies c

ukraine young's will vote without any obstacles. presidential elections there will be untimely and college ukraine is one of the statistic objectives today for ukraine and today ukraine and asserted his every step possible to ensure it did illegitimate president will be directed to each and every style all that but these are crisp and cvt of all stations will be taken on a special control to avoid disruption of the amateur approaches directly and the stations especially in problem returns so now. all whites crimea to the show was on the mainland ukraine. five more warships will be on the system. these are two training to dieting and if life i can vote the ministry of defence if ukraine hope that they will ride at the meeting point at lunchtime and that the ukrainian port hub of that as the press that is mentioned. i cooked everything will depend on the decisions of the russian site which has recently been changing dramatically cost previously fallen that a boat and watched another asset from the peninsula haha but the ships of the green and navy still remain on the cookie plate every tree in particular on the submarine of the project at odds landing

ukraine and firing on civilians. he is calling on the united states to stop that. >> eastern ukraine? >> eastern ukraine. e believes once that stops, it is relatively easy to find negotiations to demilitarize -- >> you don't think you want eastern ukraine annex? >> what is he going to do with it? i mean, it would -- let me point out, one reason so many people in crimea wanted to join russia is pensions automatically double. russia has economic problems. what it does want 100% is continuing economic relations with eastern ukraine. putin's position is, trade with the european union, trade with russia. why did europe save it only trade with one of the other? why would russia wanted to eastern ukraine? if you asked me, are the russian agents in eastern ukraine? i would say, i certainly hope so, to help control a movement that putin can't control. you don't want things spinning out of control in eastern ukraine. >> we will leave it there, stpehen cohen. his most recent book is recently out in paperback called, "soviet fates and lost alternatives: from stalinism to the new cold war." we will link to your piece

ukraine. it has enormous importance for ukraine. what does it have for u.s. ukraine wrote -- relations? >> it was a spectacular day for the country to go out in force and to say to their government and to the world that they wanted the future that is democratic, unified, rooted in europe. in terms of the u.s.-russia relations ship, i think time will tell. the president of russia said that you will risk that the result and work with whoever elected. it will be good for russian relations with the rest of the world. time will tell. >> he snatched away crimea. that seems not even in question anymore and there seems to some extent to be a retreat. his popularity has shot up through the roof. he has one on has terms, has he not? >> i don't think it's wise for anyone to get in the head of president putin the given what has happened just in the last four months. let me take issue with one thing you said there with regards to crimea. neither united states nor most of the civilized world has recognized what russia did in crimea. we still respect the territorial integrity. that will continue. with

ukraine. the united states consider the referendum which is bad in eastern ukraine contrived unfolds the us secretary of state john kerry is convinced that moscow will continue trying to spring summer in ukraine. see you on the reaction of the most intense in ukraine. the story but look rather cook. most of the contrast is the panda mei tai is bringing its amit ukraine. washington will apply sanctions placed on demand was repeated by the assistance of the u s secretary of state to cut handle and speaking in san antonio can be keen to stress that they cannot recognize false referendum. the unsaid convinced that the instability in the present cause but last time in ages but says that it is what material aid and weapons and cut in a day actions. nolan also specified that the consensus without finance energy and defense out to impress on. the new sanctions against russia as costs continue to be meeting in as well. the president of the european council haven't abandoned but he said that the pressure continues just analyzing the situation in ukraine. bass also into his punitive measures in to take an economic bill it is he's going to send experts to kyiv to in a farming disable security. however th

ukraine. a country that has a right of self-defense, ambassador, is ukraine. russia's military intervention in ukraineis a clear violation of international law and russia follows no one by calling its troops peacekeepers. unfortunately does have a track record of using term peacekeeping for unlawful military intervention and occupation without authorization from the u.n. security council. there is no evidence that the ukrainian government has targeted russian nationals or threatened rush is a in any way in stark contrast to the ongoing russian actions to detablize eastern ukraine. if russia thinks peacekeeping forces are required in ukraine it should come to the u.n. security council and seek u.n. peacekeepers. these separatists are not engaged in peaceful professes on behalf of their rights. their rights are not being threatened ability to use their language and recognized by the government is not being threatened. their ability to participate fully as voters and citizens is not being threatened. it is their methods that have been intentionally provocative and threatening. the separatists are not pre

ukraine. and that certainly one lesson learned. another lesson learned is we really don't need economically necessarily to force a country like ukraine to choose. it should have a strong relationship with europe and also maintain a lot of its historic trade to russia and if we can do this right, ukraine could actually become a through put for better, cheaper trade between europe, ukraine and russia and everybody could conceivably benefit but we needed to have that conversation in a more rick rouse way, i think. >> part of your job as an analyst and diplomat is to try to see the world as vladimir putin sees it and he sees it now with enormous resentment. he sees it as a generation long humiliation of russia, of nato enlargement when he had been promised otherwise. you know the litany of complaints directed at the west and the united states. does he not have a point on any of his litany of resentments i would say. >> well, president putin and many in his circle and generation certainly have persuaded themselves that they have a narrative of grievance with the transatlantic community and the west but, david, i have to tell you i lived and worked through that diplomatic period from 1991 when is owe yet union fell apart and, and i will tell you all of washington, berlin, paris, london, ro

ukraine right now? >> it's vitally important if there's not going to be an escalation of violence in eastern ukraine. ukraine has to get on its feet. the program is the right way to do it but if there's war, if hundreds of people and maybe thousands of people are going to be dying in eastern ukraine, the funds package won't matter at all and won't be able to be implemented. today was a big important turning point. ukrainians decided to try to reassert their sovereignty in eastern ukraine and i suspect the russians are going to respond to that tragically -- >> and clearly president obama is working hard to rally the europeans and this meeting is some evidence of that. you know the world diplomacy intima intimately. how damaged do you think it is? >> i'm not an expert on the american/german relationship. other peoples did that when i was in the government. i do know because i've heard him pauk about it many times, president obama deeply values the relationship he has with the chancellor. i've heard him say it many times. and at the end of the day we're united by our interest and values. we have really big chal

ukraine to scottish the pan. a free trade agreement to review them. i'm the european union he's cranky to support it or not i spoke to the ukraine ukraine ambassador to the eu last week he told me that's economic sanctions would be the only way a fee of up to the huts. in the crimean he says that said these events are like a mosque and two flights the flu vaccine if when you believe that's the tragedy the lucky enough so i think we need then you'll start to the doctor took on occasion. there are some color in page you an example. the eta if she sets in time and that economic initiative and the putting teeth and one s and the sheila peace finally your opinion and decide this tool. interconnect. the eu the gas meant for me at the national league as mentors. but beyond ten in european gas network. i seem to be too would be possible in school were a jesus that tracks the cost of gas for enterprises and for families and to reuse the eu import gas from russia of trains percent. and that the is is the same time a good investment. in order to support. oh and cry and it can be done or take the initiative and they in my viola who took a move would be easy. mor

ukraine. he will continue to blame russia as being responsible for this for destabilizing the situation in ukraine by their knew they had a right to destabilize the situation in ukraine a few months ago and helped bring this up which regime to power with the year oh my god riots but now. russia although there is no evidence they claim has no right to destabilize the situation. these are the radicals have not been stopped by the government because they are doing business. this government the student brown shirt paramilitaries are the only true believers that this government can politically and ideologically rely on the ukrainian flag flying over a burning building full of the corpses of dead enjoyed citizens is a perfect metaphor for the way this regime will govern in ukraine if they're given a chance why is underway in the eastern ukrainian city of tours a hotbed of anti government sentiment and these are some pictures taken by locals they are armored personnel carriers can be seen rolling through the streets on the cd and reports are coming in on at least three deaths although it hasn't been confirmed yet more on this weekend crossing the respondents' policy here is

ukraine position is there's no debt because russia owes ukraine for the gas. ukraine is prepared to pay a lower price than russia claims. disruptions to the european union and if russia cuts off gas to ukraine, ukraine will probably have the results last until september. after that, it will be difficult. >> okay. many thanks indeed. >>> now the families of two teenage cousins who were allegedly gang raped and hung from a tree have expressed outrage of the way the police responded to the crime. they say it took police 12 hours after the girls went missing from her home in uttar pradesh. let's speak to our correspondent. take us through the crime itself which is pretty grim. >> yes, on 27 evening, these two girls age 14 and 16 went out. as the family members tell us now, they went out because they don't have proper toilet back home. they have to go out to relieve themselves. they didn't return back. next morning, 28th morning, their bodies were found hanging from a tree. the report said the report confirmed rape and death by hanging. three of the policemen have been sus

ukraine. not just eastern ukraine, in ukraine as a whole. is the richest man in the country by a long way. his personal fortune berries -- varies between $11 billion and $16 million, depending on who you listen to. he started to build his fortune in the 1990's. there was suspicion he was involved in organized crime. he was closely related to the former president of ukraine, yanukovych. there was suspicion here that he was funding separatists in eastern ukraine. there was an accusation he was sitting on the fence. now he has made it absolutely clear where he stands. he is fully behind the idea of the unity of ukraine. perhaps for more autonomy for this part of the country, but definitely for unity of ukraine. with a man of that power and influence doing something in a region of 300,000 people, you have to sit up and take notice. >> rob parsons reporting from donetsk. thank you. at least six people have died after a train hit a passenger southwest of moscow. 60rriages were derailed, kilometers from the capital. a passenger train was on its way

ukraine. i think that the main motivation for vladimir putin to engage is domestic politics. he does not need democratic successful slavic country on his border. he needs an unavailable ukraine, because otherwise ukraineould be a counter model to his own system, and, thereof, he'll continue doing what he has been doing the last weeks. >> you know, since november, since viktor yanukovych was chased out of the office, russian leaders of various official status said "well, we'd like to work things out with ukraine, but there's no lum mate government -- legitimate government, no one to talk to", come may 25th there'll be an election. will that be the end of the excuse. will russia talk to whatever was in carriage of kiev after the may elections? >> no, i think that page that is a bogus argument. there is legitimate government in power in kiev. it's true that the president is not - it's an interim president. but the constitutional order of you withdrawn is currently such that actuality the prime minister has most of the power, and russia is now doing everything to prevent the elections on 25 may being successful because it needs the argument that the ukrainian leadership is not legitimate. and, unfortunate

ukraine. a russia that truly cares about the fate of the ethnic russians in ukraine and people of ukraine's east will let alone its own citizens will work with us on this. a russia that doesn't will face a tightening grip of isolation from the international community. as the president said standing next to chancellor merkel on friday, if russia further destabilizes the election, they'll face sanctions. in 19 days the ukrainian people will have the opportunity to make their choice. it's in the u.s. national security interest that the may 25 kt presidential elections reflect the will of ukraine's 45 million people. we stand united with the overwhelming majority of the international community in support of ukraine's democratic choice. the stakes could not be higher for ukrainian democracy, for european stability or future of the international order. thank you. >> >> thank you, chairman, menendez and ranking member corker. thank you for inviting me to speak about the u.s. government's response to russia's illegal annexation to crime i can't and continued provocative actions. department of treasury i

ukraine remains committed to the implementation of the agreements reached at the meeting of foreign minister of ukraine, the russian federation, european union, and united it in geneva on april 17. free and fair presidential elections on may 25 remain a top priority of the government of ukraine we reject all attempts of russia to name the government of ukraine for allegedly failing to implement the agreements, and we state that despite numerous calls of international community, the russian federation has taken no efforts to de-escalate this is your nation. strongly supports military groups operating in and creating an atmosphere of terror and violence. security as well as protection of rights and fundamental freedoms of all people of a top priorityd for the government of ukraine. therefore, the purpose of the counterterrorist operation that -- face has been renewed in is to isolate militants from the civilian population of the city. the commandment of the counterterrorist operation is required from the heavily armed illegal military to to immediately free all hostages, monitors, toe release all buildings, and stop violence and massacres. authorities are ready to arrest all those members of those groups who have not committed serious crimes. tical dialogueliit remains a top r

are necessary, and also ukraine has to push back on propaganda and really push on the definitions of ukraine as near fascist or whatever. this is not helping the image of ukraine in europe. this is not helping the image of ukraine here. are absolutely wrong, but they are doing it. ukrainians are not really mobilized in that regard. now the work of the new president, government, is going similar to the post-revolution time, because in order to make the president less powerful, not for them to become dictator. seven now the president has limited control of the ifernment, and it means that -- comes to power, he will be president, but he will control only the defense and mainstream to the government. and not involved with him are other special politics and other -- still controlled by the government, and they need to be approved by the powered -- in that sense we did have back in 2005 and the new president theelected to deliver power, a lead to a conflict between the president and the prime minister. reasons whyf the you see all of these much expected reforms implemented, in this-- was wasted almost personal political conflict that had nothing to do with political

ukraine. the european union, the imf, the u.s., japan have earmarked a substantial financial support for ukraine. right now, all eyes are on ukraine we must not forget the transatlantic partnership also is called upon to bring a conflict. to the iran there is a settlement bring -- being brought about. they need to go beyond abiding by the geneva joint plan of action. it needs to match its words. notld iran and not -- fulfill his obligations, we continue to stand ready to actually call this abstention -- of the suspension of sanctions and adopt a more far-reaching sanctions. right now, i thought -- i think we ought to give them a chance. the civil war that has raged in syria for three years also calls upon us to stand together. catastrophe has taken the lives of many people already. millions of people have been turned into wretched -- refugees. the region is in need. accept this state. germany is participating in the national protection mission that is to destroy the inhumane and a number of the chemical substances will be rendered unusable in germany. we cannot and must not accept the syrian tragedy the is -- because human rights

meanwhile we saw the russian president leading victory day celebrations in ukraine, recently annexed from the ukraine. ukraine says is a deliberate escalation of tensions. let's spoke to jonah hull. tell us what you see there. >> reporter: hello. listening to event, it's unclear at this point exactly what has happened here. outside the police station fire crews are trying to put out a blaze. it's a three-storey building. it is on fire. there's no more fighting at this point. completely contradictory reports from the people on the ground and official reports from kiev. kiev, the state security service suggests that a large crowd tried to storm the building and soldiers from the national guard had been brought in with armoured fighting vehicles to does pel the crowd and -- dispel crowd. on the ground people that there was no crowd or march, that the armed groups turned up and just opened fire. i don't know which account is true. we believe three are dead, 25 wounded. as i say at this point - lots of evidence of a substantial firefight. things are call right now. >> this particular building has changed hands a n

the baltic states know poland are threatened in any way the conflict is in ukraine and ukraine is not a member of nato ukraine and russia are two brotherly countries right now ukraine is split russia has sympathies for the progressive forces that are resisting fascism this is understandable and if you think there is an attempt to use the situation to make nato troops a permanent feature in this region past wars and east really it's just a reza aslan is pouring fuel on the fire by placing nato troops closer to the friction border it goes against the principles of peaceful coexistence do you not to evolve to that what this nato is accusing russia of intervening in ukraine but the fact is that ukraine has been getting support from the us via n.g.o.s for yes u.s. government has admitted to investing five billion dollars into so-called civil society right now nato is actively supporting the military operation with its advice and know how we see this as an escalation nato has been doing its job political strategic interests we're not willing to accept that and we want to return back to the policy of peace we will f

. >>> against a backdrop of violence and unrest in ukraine, ukraine is preparing for its presidential elect

ukraine depends on russia for about half of its gas, as you just alluded to. russia raised the price 81%. what is the latest with the disputes? this inl look at ukraine next week in more detail. essentially, russia is saying you will have to pay for this gas up front and ukraine is too hi.hat price is far for ukraine, gas is key to manufacturing the red and we all know the energy security of lots the key toon -- manufacturing. and we all know the energy security is paramount to the region. >> joining us live from london. thanks. u.n.r u.s. ambassador -- abbasid or to the united nations thomas pickering sat down with al hunt today. they discussed whether russian president vladimir putin would be intervening in the ukrainian elections. here is what the ambassador had to say. putin is tempted, as he has been tempted all along, to push the envelope as far as he can. i think a response has to be firm. but i always thought our theonse should be before may 25 election and it should be a combination of, one, sitting down with mr. putin and the ukrainians and figuring out how his legitimate needs while we meet the needs of the ukrainians. >> for more of his interview with ambassador pickering, i am joined by al hunt. thanks for your time. how should -- how worried sho

ukraine. n.a.t.o. is not going to accept ukraine. if ukraine were in n.a.t.o., we would be in a terrible situation today. the leaders of the west and east both want to walk away from this situation. i think putin is operating by the seat of his pants here and he's really looking for an off ramp here. >> i think -- i wonder if you're being too optimistic thinking that this is putin's plan. he is such an ambitious man and he has an apa tight for regaining some of the territory lost. i think he's just kind of trying to pull the wool over our eyes. >> let me go to another issue. putin's popularity within his own country had dropped significantly. when this happened, his popularity soared. there is a great impulse to be once again this transnational power and i think he feeds to that. i'm not saying it's the perfect solution to his problems, but it has transformed public opinion. >> somebody else appeared on the scene. who was that? >> on this scene? the issue of ukraine? >> the president of switzerland and he also has another title. >> organization

they're not fighting for united ukraine they're fighting for an ethnically pure ukraine quote unquote and also as well also if you look at if you look at washing ukraine ukraine in general in july july is going to be the final breaking point because that's when we're going to be having nato actually sizes with ukraine are going to be called rapid tried and the moment that happens nato will likely not leave ukraine period and with nato having the upcoming someone has the time or the more than likely institutionalize our presence there under some type of quote unquote peacekeeping operations what we're seeing right now is we're going to see the country irrevocably split after that point up until then as ascending into feudalism and it will officially be a type of super feudal state after nato moves in with their quote unquote military exercises in july all right gentlemen we're going to go to a short break and after that short break we'll continue our discussion on ukraine stay with r.t. . personel data far trust service. privacy. become a target of the n.s.a. . what if unclouded sky is right above. but. i didn't know that you know the prize is the only

white house, the arrival of german chancellor angela merkel and the focus will be the crisis in ukraine. >> ukraineaunched the strongest attack on pro-russian militias and russian forces reported with surface to air missiles. >> the effort to remove donald sterling from the nba is under way. a committee voted unanimously to expedite the process. >> residents forced to evacuate after a street collapsing in baltimore city are told it may be a month beforen they are allowed to return. >> oh, my god! [ screaming ]

ukraine. pretty much everyone in ukraine understands what's happening. as you said earlier, this is not a matter of whether the russians will invade ukraine. ukraine. >> what is putin's goal to create chaos, to make the elections a failure or is he trying to execute this putin doctrine of intervening wherever he thinks ethnic russians are threatened and create a new russian block endowmented by russia? >> all of the above. the first two things you mentioned, as you know and your viewers know there is a very important election coming up on the 25th may that is supposed to give all of the citizens of the supposedly independent sovereign state of ukraine a chance to elect a government to replace the extraordinarily corrupt and brutal regime that was really -- doesn't even deserve to be called a government at the end, of former president yanukovych. and what putin is trying to do is make sure that doesn't happen. that he can disrupt enough of the ukraine geographically, and enough of the population there, so that they simply won't be able to pull off an all-country election. >> but you said that this kind of expansionism could back fire on puti

ukraine and they are held on that checkpoint with another part of ukraine. also in crimea there is an opportunity for those that would want to vote in ukraine access and to travel to the bordering regime in ukraine. that's not. these people. they can be preceded as [inaudible] so probably they could decide if it would be safer for them to stay at home and not to travel to some other part of ukraine just to vote. the obstacle services and the issues that are going to be raised by the candidates and one of the star start is the main ie appropriate in the integration economic relations because ukraine now needs economic reform and also anticorruption because the political is very much corrupt and involved, but now the part is in the east and crimea agenda has shifted on this issue of protecting against the claim on people's lives in modernizing the army and the other day there was an incident that shows how much we need to modernize the army and actually to get better prepared because they are kille told by the pro- russian team in so that was our biggest loss in the practice and so it is now for the new president to be -- to do something about the army to deny an

ukraine is in washington today. says the u.s. and russia hold the keys to peace in ukraine. he is asking both countries too, in his words, step back from the crisis. the candidate spoke to our chief washington correspondent, peter cook, and he joins me in that conversation. good afternoon. >> that afternoon. he is an economist and a former member of the ukrainian parliament and also an adviser to victor yanukovych, although he quit over the yanukovych policies. he sees himself as a candidate -- helpedlp divide with the divided country. they hope the president's reelection take place on the 25th, even with the recent violence in the country. is quite possible that the elections will take place. it is necessary for this to happen in order for us to overcome this crisis. these elections are very needed right now. this will help us to create new mechanisms for overcoming the current situation and the crisis, and this bloodshed has to stop. continue forward on a democratic path if these elections happen, if the new government is legitimate. this trip, he plans to meet with u.s. lawmakers in congress and other officials, but even stopping here in washington, he says he wants brussels and all parties to step back and allow ukrainians to find peace on their own. specifically, he is calling on the u.s. not to impose further sanctions. very obvious to me that any new sanctions will only lead to greater financial burden on the entire world. i see no good prospects for sanctions here. new mechanismste for political dialogue instead to normalize the situation in ukraineraine can become a bridge between russia and the west. tothat is a message unlikely resonate at the white house, which is forcing -- facing more calls to turn up the sanctions, not to do turn them down. urge president vladimir putin to look at the russian relationship with ukraine going forward and to allow the country to be more of evenk, and they were promoting a judo match, both being aficionados of the sport, not clear if vladimir putin will do that. >> our chief washington correspondent, peter cook. and north carolina kicks off a month of contest today. the senate republican nominations, we will take a look at the contenders. this is when "bottom line" continues in just a moment. ♪ >> a green high capital management representative said he found ben bernanke frightening. in an exclusive interview with erik schatzker and stephanie ruhle, he said they met for dinner on march 26. years, youd him for know, in front of congress, speaking, and i watched him on tv and 60 minutes. >> what

is there any belief that we can have a fair election in ukraine or in eastern ukraine? >> in eastern ukraine, it is hard to have a fair election although i think there a lot of people there who want to be closer to russia. a lot of the younger people in eastern ukraine, even people of russian origin, don't necessarily want to leave ukraine and become part of russia. it's hard to have a fair election when you have a lot of russian pressure on eastern ukraine. the real problem is the elections are not only unfair but they are disorderly. that would raise problems because one of the russian goals is to demonstrate that the government of gf is not legitimate. if the elections are not seen as legitimate, that will just strengthen the russian narrative. >> was there 16 killed in the last couple of days? how do you get stability of an election on sunday? the separatists don't necessarily want to be associated with russia and vladimir putin is not necessarily associating himself with them. if that's the case, are we mistaken in the u.s. to punish russia for what is happening in ukraine? >> what we w

in the end, it was ukraine, ukraine, ukraine.ery clear that she wants to see a diplomatic solution. the difficulty is that you need to have some people sit down and talk to you. they have had no success getting the pro russian separatists to talk. that is exactly what she said last night. >> everybody is called to make a contribution to this. areelieve that roundtables a good opportunity to do this work. more representatives at the table the better. it is clear that only those are welcome who already and credible to achieve their goals not through violence. >> clearly the situation is already having consequences. we have revised downward the 0.2% thisor russia to year and 1% next year. and that is provided that the situation is resolved. if it was not, the degree of uncertainty that is generated by the current circumstances would clearly deteriorate the situation. >> there was christine lagarde speaking at the same news conference last night, talking about the consequences of potential sanctions on russia. the presidential electi

ukraine. meanwhile, ukraine presidential elections will be held on sunday. >> putin signaled that he would be willing to work with whomever is selected president in ukrai ukraine. now petro poroshenko is widely expected to win the presidency in sunday's vote. a billionaire who made his fortune from chocolates. he would be ukraine's first elected official since the ousting of viktor yanukovych in february. that's what kicked this whole thing off. ukraine will have a whole lot on their played. erect economy, pro russian separatists in the east and ultra nationalists in the west. and a whopping gas bill that ukraine owes the gas company in russia. many think that poroshenko is pragmatic enough to negotiate the political minefield and tensions in russia. >> he needs her vote and the country probably does need something like a savior. petro poroshenko is far ahead in the polls but still doing retail politics. >> just the firshe won't be ukrt billionaire president. just the first one who didn't become one while being president. >> his money comes from people's sweet tooth and the chocolate and candy brand. he said he'll sell that company if elected but not his tv ch

ukraine ukraine, secretary kerry warned again that thereill be new sanctions on russia is ukrainian vote is any way disrupted, presumably by russian influence. another warning, a grave consequences again about this administration. what was -- what must putin be thinking? >> at least he did not draw a line in the sand but just like the iranians vladimir putin plays as well crimea will never be turned back and west will never have access the way it used to. no question those soviet agents of influence are selling seeds of discontent with th possible vote coming up on if people want to secede from the rest of the ukraineif it goes to civil war. europe can stand by a little bit but at the end of the day they have the energy and trade concerns. so in some respect i don't think we have any great fluence on putin. he knows what to do a looks like a mediator but the entire time his operatives are in eastern ukraine stirring the pot to make sure they have support from a to get people killed and the ultimate gl is that russia will have eastern ukraine if not all of its at some poin lou: to aircraft carriers helicopter by france on their way to russia no sought to delay in any fashion and despite the sanctions. europe is on its own way flanks and it does not look like the nato alliance ever conceived to deal with any effective leader like vladimir putin who seems intent like he will have his way. >> exactly. look at the russia and estonia and latvia he probably has his eyessof them. now talking nato. not they would do anything in the immediate future but he could us as a methodology used in crimea and georgia

ukraine. >> ukraine now is in a state of war. we are an object of aggression. every single night, ukrainian soldiers are giving their lives. for restoring law, order and he's in the eastern part of ukraine. president, but as a future commander-in-chief of ukrainian armed forces, i tried to do my best to defend ukrainian people, to bring security and he's. -- and peace. >> separatists destroyed ballot boxes and deprived 5 million people of the right to vote in the east of the country. he spent -- they spent this morning attacking the donetsk airport. .t is a small airport services are reasonable but no google are problematic for the ukrainian central authorities who will clearly be looking at this. we have also heard from the russian foreign minister within the last 15 minutes warning ukrainian central government that it would be a colossal mistake to use the armed forces in operations in the eased and south of the country. he did, however, indicate that russia will respect the vote. is that the same thing as saying they believe it is legitimate, but they will respect the vote, and that russia is ready for our schenkel. thoses is -- he says votes to not require any middlemen. poroshenko

ukraine. meanwhile ukraine's president saying many pro-russian separatists were killed in the east today.hls shooting down two helicopters in slaviansk, two crew members died. the events prompting russia to call an emergency meeting at the un security council. in afghanistan at least 350 people have been killed in a landslide. and that number is expected to grow dramatically. the slide reportedly burying an entire village in the country's northeast. >>> there is concern in colorado over edible marijuana products. two recent deaths involving people who and it special candies or baked goods. paul beban has more from denver. >> reporter: in colorado you can buy legal weed the old fashioned way, by the bud, or you can buy it in bottles, in candy, or cookies. these are edibles. 10 milligrams of thc, the chemical that gets people high is the state limit per serving but one drink or one piece of candy can contain as much as ten servings. haley warns people not to chow down. >> once you eat the cookie, you can't uneat the cookie. >> exactly. once its is in your system you are along for the ride,

ukraine's energy bill is $3.4 bullion. if ukraine doesn't pay the debt russia may cut down delivers to ukraine, and that may effect europe. we have more from moscow. >> reporter: it's a dispute that has the whole of europe worried. ukraine relies on russia for half of its gas supplies. now gazprom wants ukraine to pay its debts. ukraine insisted it would not do so, demanding international arbitration. >> translation: there's nothing left but to start an arbitration procedure. if an agreement is not reached we'll meet gazprom. ukranian debt to gazprom may be changed because of abusive acts by gazprom in ukraine's natural gas market. >> moscow says if there's no prepayment, supplies may be affected. ukraine may not be able to store enough gas to ship to the european union, which reallies on the pipe-- relies on the pipe line for 15% of gap >> translation: the cost to ukraine is $3.5 billion, increasing in april by $1.3 billion. >> this expert says the sharp rise was a rehabilitation to previous -- reaction to previous refusals to pay. >> translation: last year ukraine had a low price. belarus paid less. then they were not wi

and the president listened to chancellor merkel -- gwen: in ukraine. >> in ukraine and listened as she described this as very important to her, to germany, to let this ride out until we can see whether the elections will actually take place in order to elect a new president. and the president acknowledged this and confirmed that this was a new trigger for the united states working with europe. gwen: interesting. well, maybe we'll watch that and find out whether people respond more -- more americans respond to the idea of doing something for the sake of democracy than doing something for the sake of respecting someoneless' borders. we'll see. thank you both. as 2014 unspools, we will be dipping in from time to time as voters go to the polls to send their latest message to washington. there will be 13 party primaries this month. several of which will be a test of incumbency, liberals survivability and tea party strength. this week in ng, a bit of all of that will be on view as republicans compete to challenge vulnerable senate democrat kay hagan. chuck's been covering the goings on in hi

ukraine." it calls on the international community to encourage russia to back these elections in ukraine. >> thereas been much attention in france on the french national anthem. page, is itnt sacred? why is the french national anthem at the heart of the scandal in france? the far right, the national front party, has called on the justice minister to step down. why? during an official ceremony over the weekend, she refused to sing -- well, she didn't refused to sing, she just didn't sing it. she defended her decision by saying that it was a moment of reflection for her, and she didn't want to participate in "karaoke in a public platform." now, this sparked renewed outrage in the national front party, saying that this was proof of her contempt for france. this points out that attacking her for the fact that she did llaise" isla marsei pretty low-level politics. the article points out that it is ethically normal and even protocol sometimes for ministers not to sing the national anthem, especially if it is being performed by a military band. we have seen footage of other high profile politicians, incl