Thank you.
Colonel, thank you for being here.
You mentioned in your opening remarks that you feel Putin sees this as his legacy. To rebuild the former Soviet Union is.... I don't know if you said “pièce de résistance” but it's his legacy, what he wants seen as what he left behind. So many people are suggesting that the aggression of Russia is because of Ukrainian interest in NATO, or conversely NATO's interest in Ukraine. It sees that Russia wants that buffer between it and the European region.
Can you comment a little on whether it could be both? Perhaps it's both. I don't want to put words in your mouth. I've always felt that it's his legacy, but through much testimony it's been said otherwise. Perhaps you want to comment on whether it's both or....