any potential sentiment. but i think in terms of taking it face value, anything russia says, i don't think that is some good. trust what i think is clear is that russia failed at its initial aim is politically in this war to see a quick decapitation of the ukrainian government. so, it is natural that russia would recalibrate, and shift poses military and political strategy. i think that is what is happening. now i think the only person who really knows where that shifts is vladimir putin. even the people who are negotiating might not essentially know what putin's aims are. i think we have to be very cautious, even if we want to be supportive of the ukraine efforts at the. negotiating table. >> you predicted, as you said russia would not be able to capture kyiv two weeks ago. you said they would likely reach a culminating point, exhausting ammo and manpower. is that where we are? >> yes. the russians, exactly as ben just described, they have failed in everything they try to do. that is why they are