>> i'm not setting the bar on the negotiating team while the talks are still under way. this is the first opportunity we've had at a high level to explore and understand better what is russia's position, what are russia's intentions to better understand where we are coming from. a lot of this up 'til now is russian side in public. the only way to make real meaningful progress and deescalate the situation diplomatically is get behind closed doors and see where we are. that is the opportunity. >> in fairness, we know this significant part of russia's position and that is that it is composed a force on the border that has tremendous capabilities. this is what the u.s. intel assessments read. the range of responses include