How much will that actually help Russia's economy and funding its war against Ukraine?

Oh, well, we'll help the Russians a lot because, you know, the more they sell, especially right now when diesel fuel is very expensive, it will definitely help Russia.

But, you know, the question, Wolf, I think, is can they even deliver? I mean, they have problems at home.

Can they actually get enough out into the market to really make a difference? And it's not really going to make any.

But I should say it's going to make very little difference for American, you know, consumers who have to pay high prices.

And that is reflected, as we know, in the price, not just for the fuel, but for things that people consume.

So my first question would be, will this deal actually go through? And also, Putin, this is what Putin wanted.

allies?

But what made you want to write this book? And what did you feel needed to be told?

Oh, you know, when I was a kid, when I was in high school, and the book talks about this, I studied the Russian language and got hooked on it.

And I do not know why.

I mean, you know, why do we fall in love with the people we fall in love with? Why do we like cities that we like to go to? I just, there was something about the language that intrigued me.

You know, it's complicated, it looks different because it has a different alphabet, and the idea, I mean, I'm growing up in the old Soviet Union, the idea that this is the enemy, you know, the communist dictatorship in the Soviet Union, and kind of, you know, that it was, I think, emotional attraction, but kind of revulsion or fear at the same time.

And then later, when I decided that I would actually write something, it seemed that everybody else had written a book.

I think everybody else that I know has been in your store, Brad, and giving talks about their books.

What were your first impressions of him? when he did come to power, and talk a little bit about the evolution in the past almost three decades.

So, Jill, tell us more about why you believe the Kremlin requested this call between President Putin and Trump less than 24 hours before the Zelensky meeting today.

Well, I think it's precisely what Ambassador Volker was saying.

I mean, the question that we've been hearing for several days has been on these Tomahawk missiles, and they could be significant.

I mean, when the president says a thousand, I don't think there's any way that Ukraine would get a thousand.

But even the idea as a bargaining chip that they would be used is significant.

So I think Putin, knowing that when he talks to President Trump, he can also he can often be very convincing.

And I think what he was trying to do is dissuade President Trump from going down that route by telling him, hey, these missiles don't aren't really that effective.

And quickly, Jill, before I let you go, how do you see the First Lady's influence over the U.S. position as far as this war is concerned in Ukraine?

What do you see in this moment when Trump is approving weapons, real material support?

Yeah, I think it could definitely be a turning point because you're right.

We've heard a lot of this before, but the tone and actually, you know, technically what he is saying, he is really frustrated.

He doesn't trust Putin, he says.

And not so long ago, he said he did.

So I think getting the decision about the Patriot missiles, which are protecting, could protect Ukraine and giving the green light for that is very important it is a turning point for president trump certainly and then you get into the economic part of it and we can talk about that but there's some major changes and you know you look at the allies you look at the united states they are now more united than they ever have been you have the secretary general of nato in town here in dc today you have the german defense minister this there's a lot going on to get this together

Can you help us understand all this sanctions talk? Because some people will be talking about sanctions about Russia and some people will be talking about things like this, kind of going after any support.

Yeah.

How unusual is it? And is there any reason why Trump will not say if, when, why he's spoken with the Russian leader?

Well, I think there are a couple of reasons.

One is that, you know, he doesn't want to go there.

He doesn't want to be specific.

He may have had contact in the past.

It's very unclear, but I think it's interesting to watch what the Russians say.

And yesterday, the press secretary for Putin said, well, you know, there are a lot of contacts.

Do we have Any more details as to what those guarantees would be and what else might be included in a deal? Of course, with the proviso, none of this is agreed until the sides agree.