was this— meeting was biden phone call, there was this thinking that maybe us already— was this thinking that maybe us already showed some weakness agreeing — already showed some weakness agreeing to some negotiation. actually— agreeing to some negotiation. actually turned out not to be true. and now _ actually turned out not to be true. and now what putin sees is very strong _ and now what putin sees is very strong reaction from the west because — strong reaction from the west because everyone is firm. biden is firm, _ because everyone is firm. biden is firm, he _ because everyone is firm. biden is firm, he cannot afford to show any weakness — firm, he cannot afford to show any weakness because of the internal situation — weakness because of the internal situation in the united states. simitar— situation in the united states. similar situation in united kingdom. so i similar situation in united kingdom. so i think— similar situation in united kingdom. so i think putin realised that he betieves— so i think putin realised that he believes himself there is no common ground~ _ believes himself there is no common ground. that actually makes it very risky~ _ ground. that actually makes it very risky. because the stakes are getting — risky. because the stakes are getting higher and higher on risky. because the stakes are getting higherand higher on all sides — getting higherand higher on all sides. its — getting higher and higher on all sides. �* , , ., getting higher and higher on all sides. r ,. getting higher and higher on all sides. r getting higher and higher on all sides. , sides. as you say, both president putin and president _ sides. as you say, both president putin and president biden - sides. as you say, both president putin and president biden can - sides. as you say, both president i putin and president biden can afford to lose. and yet president zelinski has been saying calm down, they situation now is no worse than it was a year ago. you've worked with him closely, do you agree with them? well, he chose this rhetoric. rhetoric— well, he chose this rhetoric. rhetoric or reality? no, it's rhetoric _ rhetoric or reality? no, it's rhetoric. and it's the audience for