alexander kliment: i think it looks good.l, but out of the diplomacy surrounding syria, the vienna process develops -- the europeans will get to a point where they have to do trading with russia to get vladimir putin on board. with designing and guaranteeing a settlement in syria. scarlet: how does the use that leverage? does he eventually have toask assad to step down? he caner kliment: present -- the russian position on how long a solid stays in power has moderated. -- assad stays in power has moderated. the details of the process, what won't happen is the saudi demand in the u.s. demand that assad must leave at once -- i don't think that is realistic. alix: does vladimir putin have as much weight with us on s -- assad as he claims? alexander kliment: he has helped the regime to turn around some of its strategic losses. i think that gives him leverage. in moscow, thead relationship is not warm. if one guy needs the other more, it is definitely assad needs vladimir putin. the fear of the islamic attacks on the u.s.. ♪ alix: