U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has traveled to Moldova in a show of support for pro-Western moves by the former Soviet republic.
Kerry's four-hour stop in Chisinau on December 4 comes after Moldova, along with Georgia, initialed agreements on closer ties with the European Union last week.
In doing so, Kerry decided to skip a ministerial conference in Ukraine, which has rejected an accord with Brussels in favor of maintaining close ties with Russia instead.
A U.S. official travelling with Kerry said the purpose of the visit would be to offer support and encouragement in the face of Russian threats.
Moscow has responded to Chisinau's moves toward Brussels by cutting off imports of Moldovan wine.
Earlier on December 4 in Brussels, Kerry attended a session of the Russia-NATO Council.
Kerry's four-hour stop in Chisinau on December 4 comes after Moldova, along with Georgia, initialed agreements on closer ties with the European Union last week.
In doing so, Kerry decided to skip a ministerial conference in Ukraine, which has rejected an accord with Brussels in favor of maintaining close ties with Russia instead.
A U.S. official travelling with Kerry said the purpose of the visit would be to offer support and encouragement in the face of Russian threats.
Moscow has responded to Chisinau's moves toward Brussels by cutting off imports of Moldovan wine.
Earlier on December 4 in Brussels, Kerry attended a session of the Russia-NATO Council.
