people are picking up on and the whole rationale for the war, ukraine is not a country. ukraine should be part of russia, which is a false rationale. it's something that's been picked up by american right and that is tragic. >> ben, rick, thank you both so much for getting us started. jason, you are sticking with me. we'll see you on the other side of this conversation because as we've been reporting, president biden is in brussels tonight ahead of his meeting tomorrow with european allies. they prepare to show a united front against russia and putin. the president huddling with allies and is expected to announce new sanctions. nbc news also reporting today that the united states plans to permanently maintain an increased number of its troops deployed in nato countries near ukraine. joining us now, deputy national security adviser, john finer. thank you so much for being with us. the president expecting to leave troops in nato countries. nato countries hope to bolster