[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H3456-H3457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                                MOLDOVA

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, with Russian-backed militants creating chaos 
in Ukraine, neighboring Moldova has put their forces on high alert.
  Moldova and Ukraine share a similar problem of breakaway states 
within their borders. In fact, there is evidence that Russian forces 
located in the Transnistria region of Moldova have been involved in the 
recent violence seen in Odessa, Ukraine.

[[Page H3457]]

  Moldova, just like Ukraine, wishes for a better relationship with 
their European neighbors, but could see its attempts to cement 
friendships undermined by pro-Russian provocateurs.
  We should make it clear that any effort to undermine Moldova's 
sovereignty will not be tolerated. Last week, I introduced a bipartisan 
resolution that calls on this House to support Moldovan independence 
and oppose aggression by the Russian Federation.
  It is clear that Vladimir Putin will take advantage of any sign of 
weakness. We need to display strength on behalf of our friends in the 
region, engage them, and support their right to defend the independent 
Republic of Moldova from aggressive actions.

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