from the start of putin's war with from the start of putin's war with from the start of putin's war with ukraine scholars and experts across the ukraine scholars and experts across the ukraine scholars and experts across the world have been debating what it world have been debating what it world have been debating what it represents a far-right fascist type of represents a far-right fascist type of represents a far-right fascist type of action or far left stalinism action or far left stalinism action or far left stalinism similarities are obvious on both similarities are obvious on both similarities are obvious on both accounts putting things in stalin's accounts putting things in stalin's accounts putting things in stalin's terms he started the war under the terms he started the war under the terms he started the war under the banner of the notification of ukraine banner of the notification of ukraine banner of the notification of ukraine translated from russia's propaganda translated from russia's propaganda translated from russia's propaganda language it means the socialization the la

wants and putin has it's something putin wants and putin has it's something putin wants and putin has controlled [000:04:02;00] the media of what's left in russia most the media of what's left in russia most the media of what's left in russia most of the media in russia is of the media in russia is of the media in russia is subservient to him and the russian subservient to him and the russian subservient to him and the russian people aren't getting the truth about it people aren't getting the truth about it people aren't getting the truth about it the truth is russians are being the truth is russians are being the truth is russians are being decimated their economy is being decimated their economy is being decimated their economy is being decimated partly by the sanctions but decimated partly by the sanctions but decimated partly by the sanctions but also because of so much money that's also because of so much money that's also because of so much money that's gone into the military that's not going gone into the military that's not going gone into the military that's not going into pe

but russia and vladimir putin has declared war on us . and he made that very clear on multiple occasions. most recently, again in september and september 30th when he annex the territories of the don bass and separate and hassan in addition to crimea, he made it very clear. then there's complete denunciations at all time on the west . and that includes europe and the european union. and nato and the united states, and frankly, also, japan, south korea, many of our other partners. and we have to realize that poland, the baltic states, many of the countries are the scandinavian, nordic countries have realized this fully united kingdom is realized it. and it's sinking in here in the united states. and the problem, as many european countries are in denial, and that's why it's back ramona's. they're trying to, frankly, put their heads in the sand like ostriches. and pretend this isn't running well, i'm sorry. this is happening. you say that it's sinking in, in the united states, and in fact, the u. s. has been the single biggest supporter of u

vladimir putin's the least developed vladimir putin's the least developed vladimir putin's the least developed quality is his ability to demonstrate quality is his ability to demonstrate quality is his ability to demonstrate human empathy not only is he unable to human empathy not only is he unable to human empathy not only is he unable to show compassion he has no talent for show compassion he has no talent for show compassion he has no talent for faking it he can't find the right words faking it he can't find the right words faking it he can't find the right words he has no pity for others and so having he has no pity for others and so having he has no pity for others and so having sent hundreds of thousands of russian sent hundreds of thousands of russian sent hundreds of thousands of russian citizens into battle this week he met citizens into battle this week he met citizens into battle this week he met with mothers who are either expecting to with mothers who are either expecting to with mothers who are either expecting to receive a message that their son has receive a message t

he fought against putin when putin invaded georgia. and here is what else saakashvili says is now happening to him in prison. >> do you recall specifically the time you were beaten when they removed your watch? >> at that time i was -- they were choking me. >> and were they stepping on your neck? >> they were stepping on my neck. >> nick paten walsh is out front to begin our coverage with more on mikheil saakashvili's story. >> reporter: this is what's become of one of the most influential men in the post-soviet world, mikheil saakashvili allegedly throwing things at an unidentified figure in a clinic in his native georgia. he's in prison there on charges he says are trumped-up. authorities released these pictures to show what they call his quote abuse and aggressive behavior. the trailblazing former president has been on and off hunger strike demanding better medical care. this week ukraine's president volodymyr zelenskyy appeared to georgia to give him just that. >> translator: please make a decision that can save his life, the presi

why putin? >> i think that is still, you know, if jim has written a second draft of history, it's going to be moreover time whether it's a -- some instinct to zag where others zig in the foreign policies establishment and admiration for authoritarianism, and he had been to russia before and sought properties there, so you know, i think it's a combination, but i think your question is still outstanding. >> do you feel like the question -- i mean, again, the reporting really goes the further in answering why trump for putin, but do you feel like you understand why putin for trump? >> why putin for trump yes. in that, trump was signaling to putin, intentionally or not, right, that he was going to be the best thing that putin could ever hope for in an american president, which was to end the traditional american role in the world. if there was one thing that putin wants is to rebuild the empire starting with ukraine, and we know that if there was one country above all others standing in the way of t

so putin's power was based on several things . first, the power of the constitution because he's not a member of a political party, but it's the constitution that gives him so much power as the president thomas. like, as are honestly a monarch. he has pretty much unchecked power and influence, but that's also then based on his own performance and prove is always judged by how we perform before in the past. remember, he's been in power for 22 years now, and there's been real peaks and his power and authority. and that's also based on the 3rd pass by the claim of the population, his popularity and that is abt and flowed in its reach great height. after the annexation of premier back in 2014 and still remain somewhat high. but if there is a perception that that popularity is flagging among the people around and then the tensions and the passion is you see. right. and that brings me to my next question because you have met members of the government and most of the government, in fact, is there anyone who you think would move against h

s. presidents and co author to book on putin. her testimony in the 1st tromp impeachment trial made her a household may bear. she warned of the danger putin's destabilization efforts post to western democracy now as potent pushes forward with his invasion of ukraine. where does she think the war is heading? he doesn't see the sacrifices his people as a great tragedy or something to be factored in here. so he is prepared to keep pushing this to the fullest extent. and thus is the problem that we're contending with, was this putin's plan all along or have decades in power changed him. and what sort of russia and ukraine could emerge? fiona hill, welcome to complex sound. thanks so much, sir. a great to be with you. ukraine says that it is bracing for a renewed russian offensive in the next 3 months. they think that some 200000 fresh troops are being prepared and that moscow could have another go at keith. what do you think bruton strategy is? well ok, i think that's a reasonable assessment and certainly it's well founded on the par

we never pushed back after putin, how long article ended site. there was no facial response from the german government. all the other european governments, we've been always allowing his narrative to st narratives to stand and not pushing back against them to the point that he himself then believes that he is right. and that his interpretation of russian and european history is the correct one. where or wrong? well, let's talk about what was coming out of the german government. in fact, during president, thanks. i to stein my or said after the annexation of crimea, that lasting security in europe can only exist with and not against russia. in fact, he thought that this was not part of a master plan that putin had. so in the context, i'd like to ask you because he's part of a school of thought that especially at that time believes engaging russia and hoping for change through dialogue and trade was the right approach. in hindsight, what do you make of that approach? was it naive? well, it was naive to her rule out the things that couldn't was sayi

but russia and vladimir putin has declared war on us . and he made up very clear on multiple occasions, most recently, again in september, on september 30th when he annex the territories of the don bass and separation hassan in addition to crimea, he made it very clear. then there's complete denunciations at all time on the west, and that includes europe and the european union and nato and the united states. and frankly, also, japan, south korea, many of our other partners. and we have to realize us, poland, the baltic states, many of the countries, the scandinavian audit countries have realized this fully, the united kingdom is realized it. and it's sinking in here in the united states. and the problem, as many european countries are in denial, and that's why it's back ramona's. they're trying to, frankly, put their heads in the sand like ostriches. and pretend this isn't spinning. well, i'm sorry, this is happening. you say that it's thinking in, in the united states, and in fact, the u. s. has been the single biggest supporter of ukrai

lukashenko a putin meet a lot and russia, but this is the first time in 3.5 years that putin has got to belarus. at has fueled speculation that there is something vladimir putin wants very badly. possibly, he wants alexander lukashenko to get actively involved in the war in ukraine, to commit troops there. today, the kremlin dismissed the suggestion as stupid and groundless speculation. the fact that putin has gone to belarus, the first trip in 3.5 years, does suggest there is something he wants from this. laura: what does that say about how vladimir putin's invasion of ukraine is going? that he has to go to belarus to maybe ask for a favor? steve: we know it has not been going well. we know since february 24, things have not been going according to plan for vladimir putin. this was a special military operation, as he called it, it was only supposed to last a few weeks maximum. it is now 10 months and there is no end in sight. we don't know for sure exactly why putin has gone to minsk. exactly what he has been talking to mr. lukashenko about. they did give a joint press conference wh

will russian federation vladimir putin will russian federation vladimir putin will become even more aggressive in coming become even more aggressive in coming become even more aggressive in coming months maybe in january february that months maybe in january february that months maybe in january february that there would be there would be another there would be there would be another there would be there would be another offensive there would be another attempt offensive there would be another attempt offensive there would be another attempt to to gain control over kiev and ideas to to gain control over kiev and ideas to to gain control over kiev and ideas and other other cities of ukraine would and other other cities of ukraine would and other other cities of ukraine would you agree that that the goal of kremlin you agree that that the goal of kremlin you agree that that the goal of kremlin of vladimir putin is still the same i'm of vladimir putin is still the same i'm of vladimir putin is still the same i'm have no doubt whatsoever that the gods have no doubt whatsoever that the g

s. presidents and co author to book on putin. her testimony and the 1st trump impeachment trial made her a household name, bear, she warned. of the danger, potent destabilization efforts post to western democracy. now as potent pushes forward with his invasion of ukraine. where does she think the war is heading? he doesn't see the sacrifices his people are a great tragedy or something to be factored in here. so he's prepared to keep pushing this to the fullest extent. and thus is the problem that we're contending with was this person's plan all along or have dec, ethan power changed him? and what sort of russia and ukraine could emerge? fiona hill, welcome to complex sound. thanks so much, sarah. great to be with you. ukraine says that it is bracing for a renewed russian offensive in the next 3 months. they think that some 200000 fresh troops are being prepared and that moscow could have another go at keith. what do you think? food and strategy is? look, i think that's a reasonable assessment and certainly it's well founded on th

putin. >> his answer is yes. >> i agree. >> you can hear the laughter. it may have felt a little odd. it certainly did to me. it is in a sense an awkward laughter. it is no joking matter. this is the reality. it is the u.s. arming and providing zelenskyy with what he needs to defeat and fight putin. and today putin was adamant russia will not back down, insisting he's just begun beefing up his military. zelenskyy has said of course he's target number one for putin and that is clear. the trip he made came with serious risks. russian forces now will clearly track his every move home. when he came out no one knew he was out until he was out of ukraine, but now on the way back the world knows where he's been and ulen skae knows it. ukraine's secret service says the agency was purging its ranks of people who could be helping putin. i do want to begin with phil mattingly because he's live at the white house, and phil, what more are you learning here as zelenskyy is preparing to go home? >> reporte

putin. on the dockside was a cabinet minister, transport secretary grant shapps. well, we're not going to allow this yacht to sail. it cannot be right that oligarchs, people who've benefited from putin should continue to sail in and out of london. it looked quite obviously staged. he was posing like a big—game hunter who'd just shot a lion, and it was several minutes before the uniform police officers arrived. boarding the $41; million superyacht phi was the uk's national crime agency. it was gutting, it was heartbreaking. the phi's owner, sergei naumenko, is not on any sanctions list. instead, his yacht was detained on the basis that it is owned, controlled or operated by a person connected with russia. the owner of this vessel is a semi—retired, mid—level, successful russian businessman. mr naumenko is absolutely not an oligarch and he's not, as described, a close personal friend of vladimir putin. if this were an oligarch's boat, it would be four times the size. the phi was now stuc

in the early years of putin's rule, 12 years off to put him became president. he joined the opposition logo senior upon almighty, over the former head of channel one, russia and deputy had of putin's campaign office. she joined the opposition shortly after the election and died in 2016 at the age of 50 full mikhail castiano of prime minister of russia during putin's 1st term, or so later went into opposition. he was persecuted and publicly humiliated after a tv show screened a hidden shooting of his intimate life flat . his laugh. so a cough was the kremlin main ideology list and held senior positions between 2002013. he was demoted after pu tim returned for his 3rd term in office. with valentine, you must have was boris yelton's, chief of staff, and the 1st person yeltsin spoke to after the election. results were announced in 2002, you must have married yelton's daughter. tatiana anatoly to pies was co leader of the union of right forces. and parliament, and one of the architects of economic reform in russia, as well as a close associate of boris nance off. af

viktor bout will be a major asset for putin. >> a major asset for putin. and a major asset is what putin desperately needs right now. let me play for you this surprising and notable exchange between a reporter and putin. because what you're going to hear here is that the reporter references the deluge of social media posts and leaked phone conversations we've been playing for you where russian soldiers slam their equipment, their training, and their commanders. >> translator: recently there have been conflicting reports about the supply of the army. you said that the problems are being solved or they have already been solved. but, nevertheless, the flow of messages from the fighters from the front lines does not stop. appeals go to the military commisars, to volunteers. they ask not only for uniforms but also for medicine because consumables run out very quickly. and the question is who to believe, department of defense reports or the front line soldiers? >> translator: you can't trust anyone, only i can be trusted. >> don't trust the soldiers on the front

is first president vladimir putin is first president vladimir putin is nothing like macron he would never stoop nothing like macron he would never stoop nothing like macron he would never stoop so low as to perform the unpleasant task so low as to perform the unpleasant task so low as to perform the unpleasant task of a quick chat with normal people of a quick chat with normal people of a quick chat with normal people football players in particular and never football players in particular and never football players in particular and never without a team of bodyguards and never without a team of bodyguards and never without a team of bodyguards and never any emotions putin only cries when and any emotions putin only cries when and any emotions putin only cries when and where he needs to in the stadium he sits where he needs to in the stadium he sits where he needs to in the stadium he sits alone and in a bubble these are photos alone and in a bubble these are photos alone and in a bubble these are photos from this year in early february at the from this year in early february at the

in the early years of putins rule. 12 years off to put him became president. he joined the opposition logo, senior upon almighty, over the former head of channel one, russia and deputy head of boot ins campaign office. she joined the opposition shortly after the election and died in 2016. at the age of 54. mikhail castiano of prime minister of russia during putin's 1st term or so later went into opposition. he was persecuted and public a humiliated offer a tv show screened a hidden shooting of his intimate life. good blood, his laugh. so cough was the kremlin main id all just and held senior positions between 2002013. he was demoted after pu tim returned for his 3rd term in office with valentino. marcia was boris yeltsin, chief of staff. and the 1st person yeltsin spoke to after the election results were announced in 2002, you must have married yelton's daughter, tatiana anatoly troop ice was co leader of the union of right forces and parliament. and one of the architects of economic reform in russia. as well as a close associate of boris nance off after putin

if it was between putin biden, hardline reform, diminishing the influence of putin and his oligarch proxies. and between trump, trump is a character with whom they had contacts. they shared, trump and putin, shared mutual public admiration. the u.s. intelligence community concluded that they very much wanted trump reelected and who knows what would've happened with a second trump administration. especially with the russia investigation behind him. would he have dropped his tough on russia policies? pat: there are a couple of questions about ongoing american support for ukraine. questions have been raised, number of republican political officials say they want an accounting for all of the money spent by the united states and the armaments from the united states in ukraine already. before more money comes down the pipeline. i believe the senate voted today to continue more money going into ukraine. this is a new leon the heels of the zelenskyy -- this is immediately on the heels of the zelenskyy speech. we saw a couple memos of the house of representatives playing on their phones, sitting is

they don't support putin. that is 20% or so. but in the middle is a lot of people that just supported because he's the president. but if tomorrow he said, we have won the war, it's time to leave, they would also support that. so, the idea that they are supporting this war with vigor, i think, is wrong. and if it is somebody else besides putin, he is the guy that is the charismatic leader for two decades. some other leader steps into try to do the same, i think the support would dwindle very, very quickly. >> what do you see as the winter months proceed with the conduct of the war? >> what i want to see is the ukrainians go back on the offensive. that's what they say they want to do. i think we should remember what fantastic victories they have had this fall. by most accounts, the russians have now lost 50% of the territory they once seized. what i worry about is that it will be a grinding war with both sides not moving very well. the russians are dug in deeper in the front lines where they are now. and i suspect, tragically, thi

today joining the pro-putin ultra nationalist party after proclaiming his full support for putin's war in ukraine. this is just the latest in what has become a public victory lap for the so-called merchant of death. a victory lap that putin has gladly broadcast all across russian state media. it's been only four days since o invade ukraine. >> translator: like any russian person, i honestly didn't understand why we didn't do it sooner. i am entirely in support of it. if i had an opportunity and necessary skills, i would definitely go in as a volunteer. >> he would have done it sooner. he's got skills. and now he's got the opportunity, and he's willing to volunteer, he says, which is what putin needs more than anything right now in ukraine. in fact, the woman who spent her career tracking bout for the united states government, along with a russian investigative reporter, both have told me that bout has the goods that putin needs to fight the war. >> he will be ready for putin to deploy him especially in ukraine and africa and other war zones. >> but also his contacts, especially in plac

putin. >> his answer is yes. [laughter] >> i agree. >> you could hear the laughter, it may have felt a bit odd. it certainly did to me. it was an awkward laughter. it is no joking matter. this is the reality. it is the u. s. that has been arming and providing zelenskyy with what he needs to defeat, and fight putin. today, putin was adamant that russia will not back down. insisting that he has just begun beefing up his military. zelenskyy, of course, has said that he is target number one for putin and that is clear. the trip that he made, it came with serious risks. russian forces now will clearly track his every move home. when he came out, everybody knew that he was out coming to the u. s. until he was already out of ukraine. but now on the way, back the world knows where he has been, and zelenskyy knows it. just today, the head of ukraine secret security services said the agency who is now purging its ranks, putting out traders who could be helping putin. we have so much to cover over this

the other putin made another nuclear threat today. that's president putin. president zelensky of course is waiting on the joint press conference with president biden at the white house. let's show you how he got to the states. this was at a train station in poland. you can see him get off the train. he's accompanied by security. just hours before that yesterday, take a look at this. if you remember, we reported about a gift that ukrainian soldiers gave to zelensky for the u.s. congress. it was a signed flag with letters of appreciation to u.s. lawmakers for all of the military aid throughout the war. zelensky promised them he would deliver that flag. president putin meanwhile is promising today that russia will achieve its goals in ukraine. he says his military will get stronger as they get for fighting experience. again, putin also made a nuclear threat today. take a listen. >> we will continue to maintain the combat readiness and improve the combat readiness of the nuclear triad. >> as for the patriot missile defense system as part of the u.s. aid to ukrai

sergei sergey lavrov and vladimir putin sergei sergey lavrov and vladimir putin sergei sergey lavrov and others to be brought to justice moscow others to be brought to justice moscow others to be brought to justice moscow is of course outraged about this is of course outraged about this is of course outraged about this we are outraged by the statement by the we are outraged by the statement by the we are outraged by the statement by the ministry of europe and foreign affairs ministry of europe and foreign affairs ministry of europe and foreign affairs of france regarding the plans to create of france regarding the plans to create of france regarding the plans to create a special tribunal for the crimes of a special tribunal for the crimes of a special tribunal for the crimes of aggression of russia we have long heard aggression of russia we have long heard aggression of russia we have long heard about the desire to create quasi-legal about the desire to create quasi-legal about the desire to create quasi-legal structures on some kind of whim the structures on some kind of whim the st

in the early years of putins rule. 12 years off to put him became president. he joined the opposition logo, senior upon almighty, over the former head of channel one, russia and deputy head of boot ins campaign office. she joined the opposition shortly after the election and died in 2016. at the age of 54. mikhail castiano of prime minister of russia during putin's 1st term or so later went into opposition. he was persecuted and publicly humiliated after a tv shows screened a hidden shooting of his intimate life. good. glad his laugh. so cough was the kremlin main ideology just and held senior positions between 2002013. he was demoted after pu tim returned for his 3rd term in office. with valentine, you must have was boris yelton's, chief of staff in the 1st person yeltsin spoke to after the election. results were announced in 2002, you must have married yelton's daughter, tatiana anatoly troop ice was co leader of the union of right forces. and parliament, and one of the architects of economic reform in russia, as well as a close associate of boris nance off.

putin is considering you're on _ think the message to president putin is considering you're on the - think the message to president putin is considering you're on the ground . is considering you're on the ground in the _ is considering you're on the ground in the front— is considering you're on the ground in the front lines _ is considering you're on the ground in the front lines of— is considering you're on the ground in the front lines of the _ is considering you're on the ground in the front lines of the artillery - in the front lines of the artillery echoing — in the front lines of the artillery echoing behind _ in the front lines of the artillery echoing behind you _ in the front lines of the artillery echoing behind you and - in the front lines of the artillery echoing behind you and now- in the front lines of the artilleryl echoing behind you and now you in the front lines of the artillery - echoing behind you and now you find yourself _ echoing behind you and now you find yourself in _ echoing behind you and now you find yourself in the — echoing behind you and now yo

that's what vladimir putin said. the new york times called that answer, a fading coda to a week that saw mr. putin particularly busy in constructing his version of reality at a time when a russian victory in ukraine appears as distant as ever. today, the kremlin announced that president vladimir putin's press conference annual end of your press conference is now canceled. that news conference was typically one of the few times during the year when journalists outside of the russian state media got to directly ask vladimir putin questions. this year, independent and for news publications that left russia after the government made it illegal to accurately cover its invasion of ukraine -- the times, notes, quote, it would have been possible for either a russian or international reporter to detail some of the setbacks in ukraine into ask mr. putin embarrassing questions about them, live on national question television. joining us now is former u.s. ambassador to russia michael mcfaul. he's an msnbc international affairs

putin thought he would weaken nato. instead he strengthened nato. i once said to him, he wanted to see the, you know, europe end up being divided. and instead what did he do? he produced a more united europe with sweden and finland joining. i don't see any reason to believe there'll be any resting of support and as we reach out to our nato allies, secretary of defense, secretary of state, we get continued support not only there but also from around the world from japan and many other countries as well. i feel very good about the solidarity of support for ukraine. president zelenskyy: thank you for your question. there are things which are important for me and i think so that we have the same values and the same understanding of the line. my message, i wish you peace. i think that is the main thing. and you understand it's only the war in your country. when somebody like these terrorists from russia come to your houses. and i wish you to see your children alive and adult and i wish you to see your children when they will go -- grow and to see their c

in the early years of putin's rule, 12 years off to put him became president. he joined the opposition logo, senior upon almighty, over the former head of channel one, russia and deputy head of boot his campaign office. she joined the opposition shortly after the election and died in 2016. at the age of 54. mikhail castiano of prime minister of russia during putin's 1st term or so later went into opposition. he was persecuted and publicly humiliated after a tv show screened a hidden shooting of his intimate life. good. glad his laugh. so a cough was the kremlin main ideology list and held senior positions between 2002013. he was demoted after pu tim returned for his 3rd term in office. with valentine, you must have was boris yelton's, chief of staff in the 1st person. yeltsin spoke to after the election. results were announced in 2002, you must have married yelton's daughter. tatiana anatoly to bice, was co leader of the union of right forces. and parliament, and one of the architects of economic reform in russia, as well as a close associate of boris nance off

putin. he kept saying, well, we kill a lot of people here too. he would not criticize vladimir putin. here you see "the independent" article where donald trump ignored paul whelan for two years, and according to this "independent" article never once said anything about jailed american paul whelan in 2018, in 2019, in 2020 when he was president of the united states. he could have made a difference. but we saw kevin mccarthy -- and what is it about kevin mccarthy, about republicans, about certain people on other news channels that love to tear down the united states and love to build up russia? you heard kevin mccarthy saying, oh, this makes russia stronger, this makes america weaker. they love that fade. at the beginning of the war we had all these republicans humiliate themselves saying, oh, the u.s. military is weak, we're woke, oh, if we could only be as manly as the russian military. how has that worked out for them? why is it that whether it's donald trump, or if it's kevin mccarthy or i

putin thought he would weaken it but he strengthened it. i once said we talk about we want to see the, you know, -- divided. instead, what did he do? he produced more united with sweden and finland joining. i don't see any reason to believe there will be any less support and as we reach out to the nato allies secretary of defense, secretary of state, we continue to support not only there but around the world from japan and many other countries as well. so, i feel good about the solidarity of support from ukraine. >> president zelenskyy: thank you for your question. you know, i think i will tell things. which is important for me. and i think so, we have the same values and the same understanding of life. the sense of life. my message my wish you peace. i think that the main thing and you understand that all around the world in your country when somebody like these terrorists from russia come to your houses. and i wish you to see your children alive. and i wish to see your children go to see their children. i think that is what i can wish you

putin will be pushing — months of this war? putin will be pushing on _ months of this war? putin will be pushing on three _ months of this war? putin will be pushing on three fronts. i be pushing on three fronts. firstly militarily to see if he can stop any ukrainian advances and start pushing back and perhaps threaten care of again. two, the ukrainian people with this devastating attack on infrastructure, to undercut their morale and push millions more back into europe, thirdly the europeans who are suffering tremendously from the cut offered gas and spending hundreds of billions of dollars and we will see what happens. what the president zelensky achieved tonight do you think? what he said was that the sacrifices that not only am i making beat the americans and the europeans are making are worthwhile. it is all about our future as the congressmen just said and again what he said, these victories are your victories, america, these are your victories, victories, america, these are yourvictories, europe. victories, america, these are your victories, europe. that is so import

putin. this will defy freedom. putin. this will be the basis to protect democracy in europe and the world over. now, iwant democracy in europe and the world over. now, i want to thank you, all of you. i thank every american family which cherishes the warmth of its home and which is the same warmth to other people. i thank president biden and both parties at the senate and the house for years invaluable assistance. i thank your cities and your citizens who supported ukraine this year, who hosted our ukrainians, our people, who waved our national flags, our ukrainians, our people, who waved our nationalflags, who acted to help us. thank you all. from everyone who is now at the front line, from everyone who is evading victory. standing here today, i recall the wars of the president franklin. which i think is so good for this moment. the american people will win to absolute victory. the ukrainian people will win, too. absolutely.— applause. i know that everything depends on us, on ukrainian armed forces, yet so much

in the early years of putin's rule, 12 years off to put him became president. he joined the opposition logo senior upon almighty, over the former head of channel one, russia and deputy had of putin's campaign office. she joined the opposition shortly after the election and died in 2016. at the age of 54. mikhail castiano of prime minister of russia during putin's 1st term or so later went into opposition. he was persecuted and publicly humiliated after a tv show screened a hidden shooting of his intimate life flat his laugh. so a cough was the kremlin main ideology list and held senior positions between 2002013. he was demoted after pu tim returned for his 3rd term in office. with valentine, you must have was boris yelton's, chief of staff. and the 1st person yeltsin spoke to after the election results were announced in 2002, you must have married yelton's daughter. tatiana anatoly to bice, was co leader of the union of right forces and parliament. and one of the architects of economic reform in russia. as well as a close associate of boris nance off after puti

there is the russia of putin and those like him, and these are thugs. i know the streets — a lot of them from leningrad — and the driveways from which they came from, and i know their language and their ways. it's based on brutal physicalforce. who is stronger? "i'm stronger, i've proved it and that's how it is," without thinking that tomorrow someone will come who will be stronger than you, and that's why they always end up very badly, every single one of them. and for me, that part of russia is the russia, that noble russia of pushkin, shostakovich, rachmaninoff, you name them all. it's the russia that they kidnapped. it still exists. a final thought, and it springs out of much that we've discussed. do you think there is a place for nationalism and national identity in music? there's a universality to music, but there is also something national about the way music appears in the world. absolutely. absolutely there is. i think the word "nationalism" is sometimes misunderstood and turned into something very negative and threatening. i don't believe

that would be vladimir putin. tell me what you think his thoughts are as he watches this relationship strengthen and biden and macron send a message of unity. >> think about the problems vladimir putin is creating for himself. when he started this war, how many u.s. tanks were there in europe. there were zero. he's reanimated the nato alliance and turned it into a threat. so the person who port trump administration himself as this grands chess master acted impulsively for emotional and other reasons that really dealt with his opportunityism and his impulsivity. now has given russia a far less good strategic position and made russia arguably put it in a long-term grudge match with the united states, which is going to be outmatched in every potential way. >> you have been studying russia and putin since long before people in this country had heard of him. what should people understand about how people in russia are taking in the actions of putin in ukraine? >> we have to remember the russian people don't get a vote.

in the coming days. external documentary looks at the rise of russian president vladimir putin. i've been for solon, enjoy your christmas, terry not we'll have your news. ne, south of i revert to understand that globalization work, but it is not reach more than 30 percent of the world population in the mediterranean as become a kind of great sarcophagus. if anything he was proud of, it was to be a steel worker who had to win as a news. where do we stand? starts january 5th on d, w. ah, for centuries the kremlin chimes have been counting the hours and minutes and mocking, changing times and eras. for those who don't know, maybe half forgotten, i will remind you that the times and deer is changed surprisingly regularly in 20th century russia. in 1917, the bolsheviks overthrew the czar and replaced him with a communist governments for the following 70 years. then in 1991 after may, shall gorbachev's perestroika reforms. the russian people overthrew the reds and voted boris yeltsin in as president. in the countries fast democratic elections. however, with freedom came the economic c

when you talk about putin thought this would be over early, u.s. intelligence thought this would be over early. you are remember the early assessments and thought kyiv would fall in 72 hours. that was not a crazy assumption given russia's advantages and with a dose of prize the ukrainian president said ukraine didn't fall. >> the significance of the battle of saratoga, it was the turning point of the american war for independence. it was a time when american soldiers who were outgunned and outmanned by a superior force, the british, were able to turn the tide, improve morale and get more foreign support to enable the american people to defeat the british. >> and obviously that's why he used it because this is a moment, this is the winter in ukraine. this is why they need the patriot. this is the hardest time, the electricity is out. families are cold. he talked about celebrating christmas, i mean, he knows that his people are suffering and i think he wanted to turn that to american families. i mean this was an extraordinary moment here in his green

jeremy putin took the russian federation over from boris yeltsin, who stepped down voluntarily. he took it over, complete with its constitution, national flag, and anthem, the basic symbols of the new and democratic russia that had replaced the old soviet symbols left in the past. together with the soviet union, seemingly for good. the shift in power on new year's eve. moreover, during the transition to the new millennium was a really clever move. following a long standing tradition, the whole state drifted into a state of rampant revelry and was incapable of a sober analysis of what was actually happening. at the same time, russians were supposed to get used to the idea of the new president. during these very days, i started shooting a p r film that was supposed to be used in putin's election campaign. this will do it this way. then we'll, we'll order you about a little but it, by your permission, jerry, i'm under one more so much of the footage was taken from my old film about putin, the audience back then. note is trivial. details such as the watch on his right rest rather th

he was also talking about the russian people being under siege by putin. >> he did. and that's controversial, actually, in ukraine. ukraine sees russia as now just clearly the enemy, overwhelming the ukrainians, no matter what language they speak, no matter where they're from, they see russia as the enemy. and so that reach out to russian people -- that possibility of some conversation with russian people was unusual. >> and particularly, because early in the day, the -- russian leaders responsible inhuman he is determined human -- and by the way, when we speak of a ten point peace peace plan without any specific, listen to the other language here. he said about the russians, they destroy everything they see. as you noted, he said ukraine will never surrender when you listen to that at this moment -- >> it sounds like a leader whose civilian population has been bombarded by ukrainian missiles, bombs, -- human rights violations that last five months or a month i should say -- you are watching spell of the special edition of ac360. let's go to anderson cooper now. >> y

putin, and we - translation: it's all caused by russia, by putin, and we are - russia, by putin, and we are paying. russia, by putin, and we are -a inc. , russia, by putin, and we are .a in._ , , russia, by putin, and we are -a inc. , , paying. this country was heavily reliant _ paying. this country was heavily reliant on - paying. this country wasl heavily reliant on russian energy. its government has scrambled to secure supplies for the winter. now it must ensure its citizens can afford them. so the government will pay one month's gas bill in decemberfor pay one month's gas bill in december for households and small businesses. from january, germany will cap prices for gas and electricity. this does have increased benefits, and most people have had a one—off payment of 300 euros. it's all costing this country around 300 billion euros. translation: ., , translation: the ga still hasn't arrived _ translation: the ga still hasn't arrived yet, - translation: the ga still hasn't arrived yet, so - translation: the ga still hasn't arrived yet, so let's| hasn't arrived yet, so let's see h

he was kind oeuf an outsourcer for putin and he was a very useful figure, but putin also rejected any chance that prigozhin could participate in a political process. this is a person who's working on his private projects and even a private initiative, not more. >> how has that changed since the war? >> it looks like prigozhin is a man of war. putin is in need of him. he's a very useful figure. generally speaking, he's kind of a supplier of the court of his majesty autocrats. he's very efficient in that very sense. but here is one more important thing. putin needs him to keep everyone scared and in tune. everyone understands this just as everyone understands putin needs these types of people right now. so that starts the question of whether prigozhin could be a real political figure in the future, whether he can establish his own let's say movement or party. whether he will have this part of -- right of violence on the state side. i think for the moment putin can control him, and prigozhin is not an idiot. hit's testing all the time, but he understands that there are red lines for puti

putin agencies war against ukraine -- putin's war against ukrainian civilians is targeting their electricity and water and abducting their children. it is unlike anything european has seen -- europe has seen since the second world war. even as putin continues to carry out this brutal war, we need an ambassador who can represent us there. you will not only have to carry out your duties in the face of a hostile government, but you will also represent america beyond the kremlin walls. to the broad mass of the russian people, many of whom feel isolated and betrayed by their leaders' war of aggression, to the detainees of this war, to the russian opposition act who are fighting for a different way forward in russia, and to the ukrainians who will look to you for assessments of our relationship with moscow, it's difficult to imagine a more challenging assignment for a career diplomat. so i look forward to hearing with you how you plan to tackle these and other issues upon your confirmation. with that, i'll turn to ranking member for his remarks. mr. risch: thank you very much, mr. chairman. govern

it will be game over for vladimir putin. so in that sense, his point of view, whatever winning may mean, it's a war he has to win. the stakes, if anything, are higher. ukraine, we have seen from the nature of the russian occupation of various territories in ukraine and the reporting is never perfectly clear. it's sometimes murky. but i think that these are safe generalization is to make that the russian army committed numerous atrocities that there have been forced programs russification of the population they've forced to take on different kinds of classes and to use a different language at times because of the russian. there are reports of, of, of tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of ukrainian children who have been deported to deported to russia. and i think it's no secret that if putin the ability to assassinate or some way to eliminate the ukrainian government think that's probably what he was trying to do in the first few days of the war. if that was case, if that was possible for this is something that he would