Moldova: pro-Russian separatists in Transnistria demand “protection” from Russia. This is the first time that a such a congress has taken place since 2006.
This fear of an escalation is not the first escalation in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called for "a peaceful resolution of economic, social and humanitarian issues between (Moldovans) and (Transnistrians)” The U.S. State Department said "the United States strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova"