borders with russian leaders closely monitoring every word and statement. civilian nn reporting any russian military action would center on air strikes targeting military installations. in a carefully scripted exchange between putin and sergi lavrov, one poe essential signal. >> translator: if we are ready to listen to counterproposals, it seems to me that its possibilities are far from being exhausted. >> reporter: the statement coming after a top official said a push for membership may be negotiable. >> what i'm saying here, we are less about trying to find the best way out. if we have to go through some serious, i know, concessions. that's something we might do. >> reporter: it is an idea quietly floated by u.s. officials who quietly acknowledge there's no nearby path for ukraine's membership but it is also ukrainian