open to diplomacy. but today the president reimposed sanctions on the officials behind the nord stream 2 pipeline, which would deliver natural gas from russia to germany. the pipeline is operated by a company that is intern owned entirely by russia stateowned energy company. meanwhile, russian state media reports that the kremlin is claiming that rebel leaders in eastern ukraine asked for military assistance on wednesday to help fend off so-called ukrainian aggression. the white house call this stunt on example of a false flag operation to manufacture an excuse for further force. and as msnbc news chief correspondent richard engel found, in a village in the breakaway regions, shelling from the separatists is surging along the border. >> sometimes rounds are closer than others. it is not a good sign when you can hear that whistle coming down.