[tapping glass] mr. Burt okay, were going to get underway. I am richard burt, and my day job is i am a managing partner at mclarty and associates, but im also a member of the board of the center for the National Interest and i might add, a member of the board of the atlantic council. In both these capacities and having spent time at both think tanks, i can tell you quite sincerely that the lunches at the center for the National Interests are far better than the atlantic council. [laughing] [laughter] and to top off this excellent lunch we have a great dessert. That is ambassador john herbst, who is with us today to talk about the future of ukraine and ukrainerussia relations. We really couldnt have a better speaker to address this issue. John has not only served as the u. S. Ambassador to ukraine, but has followed ukraine, the ukraine related issue for many years in his current capacity running his program, his European Program at the atlantic council. And having a real indepth underst