fbi director. trump invited him and the ambassador. mike flynn reportedly spoke to about sanctions before trump's inauguration. both of those guys into the oval office. only the russian agency -- u.s. photographers not allowed in and about how the meeting came together, politico is reporting a white house spokesman said this. he chose to receive them. putin did specifically ask on the call when he last talked. let's bring in our guests. the person we bring to talk about russia. former u.s. ambassador to russia during the obama administration. and from the atlantic, a moscow born american journalist. you go first.