These meetings, particularly for the U.S. side are big opportunities. Because in our system, there are lots of people who are empowered at different levels of the governments to make different decisions, at least about matters of policy that don't rise to the level of war and peace.
Finer explains the importance of U.S. officials taking advantage of meetings with Putin to influence policy.
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We`ve also been increasing substantially the amount of security assistance that we provide to the Ukrainians, more than $650 million worth of security assistance to help them defend their territory.
We believe that this needs to get done, that people are being held in unconscionable conditions inside Gaza including a number of Americans, and that they need to be allowed to come home.
It is very important to the president and to all of us that Americans be included in any arrangement.