Startups, training them to become the App Developers of tomorrow. Those are just some of the stories were covering on tonights pbs newshour. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by at bae systems, our pride and dedication show in everything we do; from Electronics Systems to intelligence analysis and cyber operations; from combat vehicles and weapons to the maintenance and modernization of ships, aircraft, and critical infrastructure. Knowing our work makes a difference inspires us everyday. Thats bae systems. Thats inspired work. Ive been around long enough to recognize the people who are out there owning it. The ones getting involved, staying engaged. They are not afraid to question the path theyre on. Because the one question they never want to ask is, how did i end up here . I started schwab with those people. People who want to take ownership of their investments, like they do in evher aspect of their lives. And the william and flora hewlett foundation, helping people build immeasurably better lives. And with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. And. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Woodruff the president of russia spoke out today on the ukraine crisis, for the First Time Since effectively taking over crimea. Vladimir putin alternately defended his countrys actions, and tried to ease international concerns, on a day of conflicting signals. Woodruff in crimea, Russian Forces occupying an air base, fired warning shots today to disperse unarmed ukrainian servicemen. In moscow, russian president Vladimir Putin said the situation is gradually stabilizing. He insisted that local self defense forces, not Russian Troops, had seized ukrainian bases. And he announced an end to military exercises in western russia. Still, he insisted his government reserves the right to use force to protect ethnic russians in ukraine. Reporter if we see that lawlessness starting in eastern regions too, if people ask us for help we reserve the right to use all options at our disposal to protect those citizens. Woodruff on politics, the russian leader said Viktor Yanukovich is the legitimate president of ukraine but acknowledged he has no political future. And putin suggested moscow might reject the results of any new elections. Reporter it depends on how they will be held. If they are held in the same terror that we see now in kiev, then we wont recognize. Woodruff in washington, president obama flatly rejected putins justifications for russias actions. President putin seems to have different set of lawyers making different set of interpretations. But i dont think thats fooling anybody. I think everybody recognizes that although russia has legitimate interests in what happens in neighboring state, that does not give it the right to use force as a means of exerting influence in that state woodruff ukraines new Prime Minister, speaking in kiev, also demanded the russians back off, while announcing the two sides are now talking. Reporter we are once again calling on russia to stop military aggression on the territory of ukraine. Ukraine is ready to renew and moderate a new style of relations. We have begun consultations at the ministerial level between the governments of ukraine and russia. Thank you thank you thank you woodruff all of this, as secretary of state john kerry arrived in kievs foggy independence square, paying tribute to protesters who died in sniper attacks. He condemned what he called russias act of aggression. It is not appropriate to invade a country and, at the end of a barrel of a gun, dictate what you are trying to achieve. Woodruff kerry also met with ukraines interim leaders, and announced a 1 billion economic package for the new government. Meanwhile, there was more talk in the west of imposing sanctions on russia. Even as moscow warned it would retaliate. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov spoke during a visit to tunisia. translated on our sanctions, i will not even exaggerate, we have always opposed unilateral sanctions. They never lead to anything good and i hope that our partners understand that this is counter productive to political activity. Woodruff russia did agree to meet with nato representatives tomorrow, to discuss ukraine. And russian and World Markets rose on those developments, and putins words. Woodruff amid the tensions over ukraine, russia announced today it successfully testfired an intercontinental ballistic missile. It said the dummy warhead hit its target at a proving ground in kazakhstan. Well hear much more on the days developments, right after the news summary. Wall street rebounded today as jitters over ukraine eased. The Dow Jones Industrial average gained almost 228 points to close near 16,396. The nasdaq rose 74 points to close just short of 4,352. And the standard and poors 500 was up 28 points, to finish near 1,874. Woodruff president obama has rolled out his Budget Proposal for the next fiscal year, totaling almost 4 trillion. It includes new tax hikes to offset additional spending for education and jobtraining. But republicans say it does nothing to address the nations fiscal challenges. Well discuss its approach to helping low income americans, later in the program. Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu is warning the u. S. And the world against letting iran go ahead with any part of its Nuclear Program he spoke in washington, a day after meeting with president obama. The leading powers of the world are talking about leaving iran with the capability to enrich uranium. I hope they dont do that because that would be a grave error. It would leave iran as a threshold nuclear power. Woodruff netanyahu also said that far from easing sanctions on iran, the world should increase them. He also urged the palestinians to recognize israel as a jewish state, if they really want peace. The process of removing syrias chemical weapons is picking up pace. The dutch diplomat overseeing the operation said today the assad regime has handed over six shipments of toxic agents. She spoke in amsterdam, at the headquarters of the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons. The syrian authorities have submitted a revised plan with a timetable of around 60 days in order to accelerate and to intensify their efforts to ensure timely removal for onward destruction. As of today nearly one third of syrias chemical weapons material has been removed or destroyed inside of the country. Woodruff sigrid kaag said its still possible to finish destroying all of the material by the end of june, under a u. N. Agreement. The Court Marshall of a u. S. Army general for Sexual Assault opened today at fort bragg, north carolina. Jeffrey a sinclair, brigadier general, believed to be the most senior officer ever to face trial for Sexual Assault, charged with forcing a female captain to perform sex acts. If conducted faces life in prison. Woodruff a deep freeze gripped the midatlantic, northeast and parts of the Southern United States today. Temperatures hit the single digits, with some areas reporting record lows for the month of march. Schools and government offices up and down the east coast remained closed, or delayed, for another day. The arctic chill also triggered a rare sight parts of the cascading waters at niagara falls, between the u. S. And canada, froze over. Woodruff brazils carnival season came to a close today after days of extravagant parades and celebrations. In rio de janeiro, costumed performers danced below massive floats through monday night and well into this morning. Meanwhile in new orleans, mardi gras was a cold, wet, gray day, but revelers gathered in the french quarter, just the same. Woodruff still to come on the newshour next steps for the u. S. In the ukraine crisis; president obama makes closing economic gaps a budget priority; whats behind the spike in suicides in the u. S. Military; plus, giving young men the skills to become tomorrows computer coders. Ifill the standoff in ukraine, and the tension it has triggered between the u. S. And russia, has become the central Foreign Policy challenge in washington, in moscow and in european capitals. Here to take us behind the scenes chief Foreign Affairs correspondent margaret warner. Margaret, welcome again. We saw today between john kerry, the president spoke and especially Vladimir Putin, what does it significance . I can tell you what the administration thought putin had to say. On the one hand the press reports emphasize his touch talk about how russia had a right to go into ukraine to protect russians and felt he was out of touch with reality in terms of denying Russian Troops are there. On the other hand, they saw a couple of glimmers of encouragement. One, he talked about elections coming up in may which is what the u. S. Is talking about. Two, he admitted yanukovich walked away from power and told him on the phone the other day hell never win another election. Seemed to be in conflict. And talked about wanting to engage. So last night with n a meeting between the russians and the German Foreign ministers, the Russian Foreign minister had no interest in taking steps to starting the russians and ukraines talking. Ifill theres a talk about sanctions. Secretary kerry mentioned a billion dollars today. Are they moving any closer to reality . They are. An official traveling with secretary kerry talked about the fact there could be something coming as early at next week. This week, i talked to aide to senator corken, theres a movement on the hill they impose some sanctions. Theyre trying to get the administration in on that. The interesting word on sanctions came from german officials today who said despite all the stories about how chancellor merkel is more reluctant on sanctions than some of the europeans, they said the Prime Minister has a state summit on thursday and, if there is no movement, no change from putin, sanctions will be on the table. So either the administration would like to have the europeans have a concerted front, not one because theyre more effective, economic sanctions, are but, two, for the political signal it sends. Ifill are the europeans in lock step with the u. S. On these kinds of things . No, to the contrary. As we know, europe has much closer trade ties, they are more dependent for emergency on russia. Russia is a very near neighbor if not a direct neighbor. One european official said to me, its a little different for you all sitting in the u. S. Russia doesnt really look like a direct threat. But if youre in the neighborhood you know, there are both positive benefits to engaging with russia and also the hostility that exists there. So, no, theyre not on the same page, but i heard secretary kerry say today he was quite sure they would work it together. In other words, if they would be in agreement. What we dont know is does that mean the administration thinks they can bring the europeans along to where they are . Or does it mean that president obama is willing to slow his pace down to stick with the europeans . Ifill how much you alluded in the answer to the first question, how much does this depepped on their confidence in putins motives, that they truly believe as merkel has been quoted as saying he lost it . The german officials wouldnt confirm she used those words but said that does reflect the german view. Its obvious from what putin said today, american Officials Say, well, how do you read putin . You cant read putin. Other than knowing hes an ultra nationalist who wants to retain or enlarge the russian sphere of influence in his neighborhood, they really dont know how to read him, theyve given up. What is concerning to him and europeans is he has the bit between his teeth on this issue. So, for example, Russian Foreign minister lavrov on whom secretary kerry spent a lot of time developing a relationship with in iran and syria to some degree, theyre supposed to meet tomorrow, though thats not 100 set in europe, there is a concern in the administration that lavrov may not have much room to maneuver. Ifill this is putins baby. How far is the u. S. Prepared to push on this . That is the question. Ifill yeah. This is a hypothetical, so i couldnt get anyone to engage on it. Lets say putin says, look, im not moving into southeastern ukraine short of incredible provocation, which he sort of hinted that today, but he retains the status quo in crimea in which the Russian Troops, he may call them irregulars, but there are Russian Troops outside the bases theyre allow. Does the world treaty say crimea used to belong to russia and its de facto and we have to accept it, for do the United States and europeans continue to then say, well, were not going to send troops in but exact a price and i think that remains to be decided. Margare ifill paring margin s so much. So many questions to answer. Ifill is this a standoff the u. S. Should have seen coming . And what are the options now . For that we get two views. John mearsheimer is a professor at the university of chicago and has written extensively on strategic issues. And amy knight has authored several books about russian politics and history. She also writes for the new york review of books. Welcome to you both. John mearsheimer, as you see it now, what are the options that are available for the u. S. Or europe or russia . Well, the fact is, we have remarkably few options. We have no military option at all. Even john mccain and almost every hawk has said that theres no military option here. And when you look at the economic options, they do not look attractive at all either. People talk about sanctions, i think its going to be very difficult to get the europeans to go along with meaningful sanctions, and even if they do go along with meaningful sanctions, the fact is that the russians have ways of countering us. The russians will put enormous pressure on ukraine and even will put pressure on the europeans. They have a second strike, so to speak, here. So we dont have really good options, which is why we should have never gotten into this mess to begin with. Ifill amy knight, what is your take on that . Well, i think clearly the u. S. Is in a difficult position and i do agree that we cant count on the europeans to back all the economic sanctions, but nonetheless i think putin and his colleagues in the kremlin probably are nervous about the possibility of having visas denied to russian businessmen and probably assets frozen. I think the other thing is putin showed by the effort russia put into the olympics they spent over 50 billion that the image of russia and putin himself in the west was very important, and now that is pretty much gone down the drain because of this recent incursion into crimea. Ifill john mearsheimer, as you look into this situation today, we heard john kerry use the word deescalate. Is it too late por for that . No, i dont think so. Everybody has a deepseated interest in trying to deescalate the crisis and go back to the status quo ante. We certainly dont want a war or see ukraine partitioned or anything like that. What we would like to do is have an election this coming may in that country, get a government in place that is neither antirussian or terribly prorussian and create a situation where we dont have any significant differences with the russians over ukraine. And i think, in addition to that, what we also have to do is we have to stop talking about nato expansion. I think its an important backdrop to this whole crisis. Since the end of the cold war, the United States and the west europeans have been pushing nato further and further eastward, and this just drives the russians crazy. Its precipitated, in my opinion, the 2008 war between georgia and russia, and i think whats going on here is that the russians are basically saying and here were talking about putin that theres no way that theyre going to tolerate a situation where the United States installs a prowestern rejeej in ukraine and then eventually brings ukraine into nato. Thats simply unacceptable. Ifill thats a basic question. Has the u. S. Miscalculated, overreached in supporting nato expansion in ukrainian independence . I dont think so, particularly regarding the ukraine, i dont think the u. S. Installed a government in ukraine. Ukrainians were very emphatic that they were unhappy with the yanukovich government. Its terribly it was terribly corrupt and a good number of ukrainians wanted tighter ties, economic ties with europe. So i dont think the u. S. Can be blamed for that. And i think that russia and the kremlin really underestimated the reaction that would come from their moving into crimea. I dont think it was such a wise thing, even though its quite clear that putins motivation was to show that russia does not tolerate easily what it perceives of as the west and the u. S. , in particular, trying to influence events in states that were formerly a part of the soviet union. Ifill most americans watching the olympics and the chinesesochi spectacle a few weeks ago were puzzled putin would make this effort to tarnish his reputation so quickly. Is there something behind this that made this inevitable . Most americans have been shocked at what happened. Its so clear the white house and most experts in washington have been shocked. I dont understand why they have been shocked. The fact is that putin and the russians more generally have made it clear that they will not tolerate on their borders a ukraine or a georgia that is prowestern and leaning towards joining nato. Theyre very clear on this, and we did not, by ourselves, engineer the coup in kiev, thats for sure, but theres no question that the americans were giving encouragement to the rebellious forces, and that helped topple the government. From a Russian Point of view, this is simply unacceptable. Ukraine is a core strategic interest, and the fact that most americans dont understand t