0:00:20 > 0:00:23Today HARDtalk is on the road in Moldova.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26It is a long neglected corner of Europe that is caught up
0:00:26 > 0:00:32in a trial of strength between Russia and the EU.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Until 1990, the people here were citizens of the Soviet Union.
0:00:35 > 0:00:42Now their government dreams of joining the European Union.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Just like in neighbouring Ukraine, all the ingredients are here
0:00:44 > 0:00:52for a strategic stand-off that could turn ugly.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06A summer's morning in Chisinau, Moldova.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Thousands gathered outside Parliament to embrace a European
0:01:08 > 0:01:14dream.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26This former Soviet republic, like its neighbour Ukraine, has signed
0:01:26 > 0:01:31a partnership deal with the EU.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34The air was heavy with European symbolism, but Moldova was
0:01:34 > 0:01:41and still is Russia's backyard.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43And just like in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin will do all
0:01:43 > 0:01:52in his power to keep it that way.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Moldova is the poorest country in Europe.
0:01:56 > 0:02:02It is still dominated by agriculture.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05The soil is fertile, but this is a land of small farms,
0:02:05 > 0:02:12hard labour and low returns.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16We found this Soviet-era combine harvester rumbling through
0:02:16 > 0:02:20a field of barley.
0:02:20 > 0:02:26The harvest crew working dawn to dusk for just a few euros a day.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Grapes have long been the most valuable asset of Moldova.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38These vineyards produced wines prized across the Soviet empire.
0:02:38 > 0:02:45Today, the wine business still generates 10% of the country's GDP.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50All of these barrels are full with wine.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00About 30 million litres of wine we have here.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02The Cricova Winery boasts the world's second biggest
0:03:02 > 0:03:10underground wine store.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14In this old limestone mine, millions of litres are maturing
0:03:14 > 0:03:17in a network of tunnels hundreds of kilometres long.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Not all the wine here is home grown.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Some of this wine comes flavoured with the most extraordinary history.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26The marketing director, Alexandru Alexeev, showed me wine
0:03:26 > 0:03:31from the personal collection of Hitler's henchman Hermann Goering.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35It was brought here from Berlin in 1945 by the Russian Red Army.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Can I touch it?
0:03:39 > 0:03:46This is a wine from 1935.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47It is historic.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48Don't remove the dirt.
0:03:48 > 0:03:49Oh, sorry.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54Sometimes some of the wine, we say the price is for the dust
0:03:54 > 0:03:58and the history of the bottle.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01If you were to auction a bottle of this Goering wine,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04how much would it fetch?
0:04:04 > 0:04:08I think it can be 25,000 euros to 35,000 euros for one bottle.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Are you serious?
0:04:10 > 0:04:11How many bottles do you have?
0:04:11 > 0:04:12129.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Oh, my God.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18That is a very valuable collection.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20These days, Russia consumes 30% of all
0:04:20 > 0:04:23the wine produced here in Cricova.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Well, it did until Moscow imposed a ban on Moldovan wine in a thinly
0:04:27 > 0:04:32disguised retaliation to Moldova's decision to cosy up to the EU.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36You have brought me to store number 275.
0:04:36 > 0:04:43Why is this wine significant?
0:04:43 > 0:04:46It is part of the private collection of the President of the
0:04:46 > 0:04:51Russian Federation, Mr Putin.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53How many bottles does he have?
0:04:53 > 0:04:56He has 600 bottles.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I find it very interesting that you store wine for Vladimir Putin
0:04:59 > 0:05:02as a gift.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05It is the gift of our government.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09You have lost a massive market, haven't you?
0:05:09 > 0:05:14How damaging has the Russian ban on your wine been?
0:05:14 > 0:05:17It has damaged our exports in a short period of time.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20But it is like a cold shower.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26Now we try to find new markets.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28We try to find new markets in the European Union.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32We have signed an important contract in China.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34We promote our wines in the United States.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38We try to find new markets and new ways to promote our wines.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Do you think, in all honesty, that Moldova can compete and win
0:05:41 > 0:05:44in Europe?
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Absolutely.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I know that we can and will do this.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54I think in a few years, you will hear about Moldova.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57There will be a possibility to find Moldovan wines in good
0:05:57 > 0:06:03restaurants in all of Europe.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Moldova has always been a frontier land, culturally and
0:06:09 > 0:06:13linguistically connected to Romania to the west, but drawn into Russia's
0:06:13 > 0:06:19orbit from the time of the tzars.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The regional landscape is now deeply unstable.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Ukraine, Moldova's eastward neighbour,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27is convulsed with violence.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Russia appears more determined than ever to project its power
0:06:31 > 0:06:39in its own backyard.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44When the Soviet Union disintegrated 24 years ago, a fault
0:06:44 > 0:06:48line was exposed inside Moldova.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54While most of the country backed independent
0:06:54 > 0:06:59statehood, inhabitants of a sliver of territory on the east bank
0:06:59 > 0:07:02of the River Dniester broke away.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07The rebels were Russians, Ukrainians and Russian-speaking Moldovans.
0:07:09 > 0:07:15In 1992, there was a brief and bloody war.
0:07:15 > 0:07:22It saw the Transnistrian separatists take on the Moldovan Army.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30Over 2000 people, soldiers and civilians, lost their lives.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37The fighting ended when Russian forces entered Transnistria.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40They were billed as peacekeepers.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43In fact, they were guarantors of Transnistria's separation
0:07:43 > 0:07:48from Moldova.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Some of today's separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine had their first
0:07:51 > 0:07:57taste of battle in Transnistria.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Today, checkpoints and guards signal the de facto border between Moldova
0:08:05 > 0:08:10and Transnistria.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14This frontier isn't on any international map.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Even though we had been granted rare official access, it still took us
0:08:17 > 0:08:21an hour to pass through.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27Nothing on this front line is taken on trust.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Away from the main road, the tension is less evident.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35But the sense remains of Transnistria being
0:08:35 > 0:08:42a territory fuelled by a suspicion of the outside world.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47This is Europe's forgotten frontline.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Behind me is Moldova.
0:08:50 > 0:09:01Here is the breakaway territory of Transnistria.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04This no man's land isn't exactly heavily fortified.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06In fact, two of the five Transnistrian border
0:09:06 > 0:09:09guards who are posted right here are currently taking a nap.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11They aren't the real deterrent here.
0:09:11 > 0:09:18The real deterrent is Russia.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Russian and Soviet influence looms large over Tiraspol,
0:09:20 > 0:09:24capital of the self-proclaimed republic of Transnistria.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27The political heroes, the architectural style,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29the very visible military presence all smack of
0:09:29 > 0:09:32a mindset forged back in the USSR.
0:09:32 > 0:09:43Transnistria keeps the size of its own armed forces
0:09:43 > 0:09:51a closely guarded secret.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54We were allowed to film these self-styled special forces,
0:09:54 > 0:10:01but their training was cut short when it started raining.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05These men know that if push comes to shove, they can count
0:10:05 > 0:10:09on the support of 2000 well-armed Russian soldiers permanently based
0:10:09 > 0:10:15on Transnistrian soil.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19The military memorials here tell their own story
0:10:19 > 0:10:23of mutual commitment.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Plenty of Transnistrian blood has already been spilled for the Russian
0:10:26 > 0:10:32motherland.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39Just half a million people live in this statelet.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47But they have all the trappings of sovereignty,
0:10:47 > 0:10:52including their own currency.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57A fistful of Transnistrian rubles might look impressive,
0:10:57 > 0:11:04but outside this tiny territory, they are absolutely worthless.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11Transnistria boasts a collection of heavy industrial enterprises,
0:11:11 > 0:11:16steel plants and factories built by the Soviet planners.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20The territory's economy is kept running by free gas supplied
0:11:20 > 0:11:28by Russia's Gazprom and huge annual subsidies from Moscow.
0:11:28 > 0:11:34Without them, Transnistria's government would be broke.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37It is a territory dominated by the elderly.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Many young adults leave to find work.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Most go to Russia but increasing numbers are taking up
0:11:43 > 0:11:49the offer of Moldovan passports which gives them access to the EU.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I wondered if that might be diluting Transnistria's
0:11:52 > 0:11:56passionate pro-Russian sentiment.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00The answer from these people was emphatic.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05Do you see your future more in Europe or with Moscow, with Russia?
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Would you really rather be a part of Russia?
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Is Vladimir Putin the leader you would
0:12:17 > 0:12:22like to be responsible for you?
0:12:51 > 0:12:52The Transnistrian leader, Yevgeny Shevchuk, wants
0:12:52 > 0:13:02his territory to be incorporated into the Russian Federation.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07Where Crimea has gone, he would like to follow.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09History, language, culture and politics, he says,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13make it inevitable.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16To illustrate his point, he took me to a disputed town where
0:13:16 > 0:13:23this church that was built by the Russian czars and rebuilt by
0:13:23 > 0:13:31the defiant breakaway government.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Mr President, do you feel here that your land is Russian?
0:13:53 > 0:13:55The Moldovan Prime Minister says he would be happy to guarantee
0:13:55 > 0:13:59the security of places like this.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03You could come and worship and be free to do what ever you want to do.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Just accept the sovereignty of Moldova.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Why not?
0:14:36 > 0:14:41The Dniester River runs like a raw wound through Moldova,
0:14:41 > 0:14:48symbolising the failure of efforts to create a unified nation.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Transnistria has no international legal standing, but it will be kept
0:14:51 > 0:14:54afloat as long as Russia sees it as a useful asset in its strategic
0:14:54 > 0:15:04stand-off with the west.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08As the American team, as part of the OSCE...
0:15:08 > 0:15:14As part of the tension stoked by the Ukraine crisis, Moldova is no
0:15:14 > 0:15:20longer Europe's forgotten corner.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23I came across a delegation from the US Congress in Chisinau, trying
0:15:23 > 0:15:31to reassure Moldovans that America cares about their future security.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Senator Benjamin Cardin, let me ask you this.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38How vulnerable do you feel Moldova to be right now?
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Well, Moldova is in a critical condition
0:15:41 > 0:15:43in making decisions for the future.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44I think they have no choice.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47They understand their economic future is with Europe.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50The association agreement was ratified in record time.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Clearly there will be issues with Russia.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Russia will try to do everything they can to keep Moldova out
0:15:56 > 0:15:59of Europe, but I think it is inevitable that Moldova understands
0:15:59 > 0:16:13this, and they are on that path, and it is good for their future.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15From Chisinau's international airport, Moldovans can now fly
0:16:15 > 0:16:23visa-free into most of the EU.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28Hundreds of thousands now make their living abroad.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30And EU companies like the low-cost airline Wizz Air
0:16:30 > 0:16:36are tapping into the economy.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Slowly, and sometimes painfully, the continent's poorest country is being
0:16:38 > 0:16:47integrated into the European family.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Moldova's PM, Iurie Leanca, has staked his career on delivering
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Moldova's European destiny.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58But the path is littered with obstacles, highlighted by
0:16:58 > 0:17:03the crisis in neighbouring Ukraine.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08PM Iurie Leanca, welcome to HARDtalk.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Has the crisis in the violence in Ukraine brought a real sense
0:17:11 > 0:17:20of vulnerability, insecurity, here in Moldova?
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Well, the tragic developments in Ukraine, which is just
0:17:23 > 0:17:29in our neighbourhood, of course are very dangerous for Ukraine.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34They are very dangerous for the region and for the continent.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40Not just because by this violent action we see the entire very
0:17:40 > 0:17:45fragile security apparatus, which is in process of being built,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50is now basically destroyed, and we need to launch the process again.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54But because it does raise a lot of concerns.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Concerns in terms of security, concerns in terms
0:17:56 > 0:18:02of our economic situation, because we especially in Moldova,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04we are a small country, and we are very dependent and vulnerable,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07on the regional province.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10So do you feel vulnerable today?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13But what is even worse, it brings, and it has brought and it still
0:18:13 > 0:18:15brings, the uncertainty.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18And there is nothing worse than uncertainty.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Because they don't know what might happen today, what might happen
0:18:20 > 0:18:23tomorrow, and they want answers to those possible scenarios, both
0:18:23 > 0:18:28positive, or also even so negative.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31You talk of uncertainty.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Surely what has become more clear, more certain, is that Russia has
0:18:34 > 0:18:43the ability, and certainly the intention, to impose its influence,
0:18:43 > 0:18:49and ultimately you could argue its authority, on its neighbourhood,
0:18:49 > 0:18:54what they call the "near abroad" - the old Soviet Empire, if you like.
0:18:54 > 0:19:00And you stand as a part of that near abroad.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Well, we are not direct neighbours with Russia.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07But Russia to us is an important country for many, many reasons.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09You are a former part of the Soviet Union.
0:19:09 > 0:19:15Yes, we used to be part of the empire.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19And we know that Putin says the greatest tragedy of the 20th century
0:19:19 > 0:19:22was the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Putin says he wants to
0:19:22 > 0:19:25reassert Moscow's authority over what used to be the Russian empire.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26We have to understand the reality.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28And the realities of the new world is that Moldova
0:19:28 > 0:19:31and Ukraine and Belarus and Russia are subject of international law,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and equal subjects.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36And that if we want to have a predictable and civilised
0:19:36 > 0:19:41relationship in this part of the world, and based on building a
0:19:41 > 0:19:46predictable and prosperous region, we need to respect each other's
0:19:46 > 0:19:48opinions, we need to recognise - and by the way, we always
0:19:48 > 0:19:52acknowledged, and we do acknowledge, Russia's legitimate interests.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54The only problem is how you pursue those interests.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Does Russia have legitimate interests in Moldova?
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Well, Russia has legitimate interests, the European Union has
0:20:01 > 0:20:04legitimate interests, China have legitimate interests.
0:20:04 > 0:20:12Big countries.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14I would be happy to explain why.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17But again, the only problem is how you pursue those interests.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19You can project your soft power, your attractiveness.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21And that is what basically the EU does.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24And that is what Russia should do, in order to get this influence, and
0:20:24 > 0:20:26to have a role in the development.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28You say, we have to take responsibly for ourselves.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31The truth is, when it comes to energy, you are
0:20:31 > 0:20:36totally reliant upon Gazprom.
0:20:36 > 0:20:46We don't get it free of charge, it is in our interests to buy it,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and their interests to sell it, and we pay a lot.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52But, that is why we are focused in much on creating
0:20:52 > 0:20:53an alternative source of supply.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56On the 27th of August, when we celebrate
0:20:56 > 0:20:59the 24th anniversary of our independence, we will put in place
0:20:59 > 0:21:05the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline across the border with Romania, and on that
0:21:05 > 0:21:10specific date we will import the first volumes of gas from Romania.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12In two years, we will have a fully functioning alternative
0:21:12 > 0:21:20supply channel, both in terms of energy, and also in terms of gas.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24It is a process, but again, it is a very interdependent relationship.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27But your message to me constantly is you will not be bullied by
0:21:27 > 0:21:28Vladimir Putin.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32No, it's not about being bullied.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38Our native language - we are very much interested to live
0:21:38 > 0:21:44in a harmonious way according to certain rules.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48It is up to Moscow to decide what sort of relationship with us.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50I dare say you have thought about this, but I wonder
0:21:50 > 0:21:54if you feel that you have missed the window of opportunity in Europe?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Because if you see the last European election results,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01you see an extraordinary performance by nationalistic, some would say
0:22:01 > 0:22:07sometimes xenophobic, political parties in Western Europe who are
0:22:07 > 0:22:09anti-immigrants, they are worried about open borders,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11and frankly, they are very worried about extending
0:22:11 > 0:22:15the EU to countries like Moldova.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18And it may be that the political temperature in much of the European
0:22:18 > 0:22:24Union has moved against Moldova.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26I still believe that the window of opportunity is there.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29And what makes me happy is that despite these new feelings in
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Europe, everyone understands that even bringing in Moldova would be
0:22:33 > 0:22:39an objective much bigger than the territory and population of Moldova,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41because it would mean we were able to spread the air of stability
0:22:41 > 0:22:44and security further into Europe, and not just allow this instability
0:22:44 > 0:22:49to be driven into the EU.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Is not the likely outcome for a Moldova, that you will be
0:22:52 > 0:22:54stuck in a sort of twilight zone?
0:22:54 > 0:22:57You will be the subject of a perpetual tug-of-war between Moscow
0:22:57 > 0:23:06and the European Union, and the net result will be that you will not be
0:23:06 > 0:23:12able to achieve the aspirations that you have set out with me?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15I'm quite optimistic that yes, we will be able to get the European
0:23:15 > 0:23:20perspective, to become candidates, and then to become -
0:23:20 > 0:23:23it's not that important whether it is five, seven, or eight years.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28What is critical to me is to win the elections, to continue this
0:23:28 > 0:23:30path, and to become a candidate.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Then we will be only the culmination of our pro-democratic,
0:23:34 > 0:23:35pro-reform movement.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40And in a word, you will not let Vladimir Putin stop you.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43We need just to convince our citizens that our path is
0:23:43 > 0:23:47the only one, without alternative, for Moldova.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50And I'm sure that we can do it, together with the support from
0:23:50 > 0:23:53our European friends and partners.
0:23:53 > 0:24:03We will get there, I'm sure.
0:24:03 > 0:24:13It's not so hard to imagine Moldova's future inside the EU.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16The culture is Latin, the language too.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18On a summer evening in Chisinau, there is an unmistakably European
0:24:18 > 0:24:23vibe.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27But Transnistria is just an hour's drive from here.
0:24:27 > 0:24:36Russia remains determined to shape the future of its former empire.
0:24:36 > 0:24:51Chisinau is currently calm, but it may not last.