negatively effect ukrainian statehood. >> he's threatening ukraine, an extraordinary thing to do. on the other hand, he's already instigated war in ukraine. the fact that he's threatening their statehood, sovereignty, is deeply problematic. >> reporter: for his part, vladimir putin recently denied trying to divide the european union saying the eu is his biggest trading partner. analysts say it's a contradiction of what he wants to do, to divide the u.s. and them from each other. >> what experts say is a clear defiance of not getting a seat at the g7 table, vladimir putin is on a state visit to china, holding his own huddle with xi jinping xi and spending downtime together at a hockey match. >> joining us, errol lewis, political commentator and political anchor for spectrum news. errol, good morning to you. >> good morning. >> let's talk about russia now.