CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Four U.S. senators visited Moldova Thursday to lend support to the former Soviet republic’s move toward the European Union, while Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Ukraine to end a blockade of the country’s separatist province Trans-Dniester.

U.S. Sens. John McCain, John Barrasso, John Hoeven and Ron Johnson met with Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca to discuss energy security and how to attract U.S. investments to Moldova.