president assad in any future negotiations. so he's going to have a role if russia has anything to do with it. in terms of what the international reaction has been. basically condemning what they said the red carpet, said was the red carpet welcome. they're embark on a political solution, i'm paraphrasing the white house spokesman there, but essentially condemnation from the white house. but nevertheless, the russians digging in their heels saying that assad is the man they continue to back. u.s. secretary of state john