Beneath Moldova's soaring parliament building, a parade of its most precarious file slowly past - bussed in by the thousand from across the country, each with their private tale of poverty and frustration.
"We're a laughing stock - the government is mocking us," some cry.
Capped in a blue woollen hat, Ala thrusts her wide pale face close to mine, and says: "There are people with four or five children who literally have nothing to eat."
Energy bills here now consume more than 70% of household income, according to Moldova's president.
Ala tells me they swallow half of her pension.
As long as Ukraine continues to fight, and wins the war, he believes the risks for Moldova are lower."If Ukraine falls, Moldova is next," he said. "But I'm not afraid."
Since the war began, President Sandu's government has tried to diversify the country's energy sources, and wean it off dependence on Russian gas, but attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure and the cost of importing electricity from Romania hasn't made that easy.
She has said the alleged Russian plot would rely on "internal forces" such as the opposition Sor party, and has called for parliament to pass tougher security laws.
Marina Tauber, Sor's general secretary, who led today's protest outside parliament, says that her party not opposed to the EU and wants good relations with all sides.
But there are those in her party who admit they would welcome Russian intervention.
Orhei - an hour's drive north of the capital Chisinau - is a Sor stronghold where we meet party Councillor Iurie Berenchi.
"We're not afraid," he told me, "Because if Russia wanted to take Moldova, they'd do it in half a day."
When asked if she would welcome that, Ms Berenchi is unequivocal.
"In my personal opinion, yes," he said. "With Russia we'd be much better off than we are now."
Many people in Chisinau see closer ties with the West as a way to secure Moldova's independence and democracy at a critical time. President Sandu's party has a solid majority in parliament.
But the view from the crowd outside that parliament on Sunday was different, and there's the risk the pressure could widen the splits in Moldova's diverse society.
The risk is clear when Ala and her friends were asked whether they believe Russia wants to infiltrate Moldova, as their president fears.
"Yes, let them come!" they shout. "We want them to come here. We want to be part of Russia!"