david-and-goliath type relationship. extraordinarily asymmetrical. i think ukrainians came to the table the negotiating table strengthened and emboldened today. but while this was going on, there were massive build troop buildups throughout the country, especially outside the capital kyiv. the word nuclear was used. and there is tremendous concern as to how this is going to unfold, especially around the capital. so ultimately, at this juncture, those talks went nowhere and reassured nobody. yeah. yeah. i think you ever right about that. putin, you know, he he almost certainly well, he did factor in sanctions. he knew they were coming. aide bait them into his strategic calculus. but did he bake in this much of a western response do you think? i absolutely don t think he did. i think if you look at what happened or unfolded just over the past two weeks, the escort sort of succession of western leaders, think he was testing waters in some ways, attempting to divide and rule,