joining us now is jack matlock who served as u.s. ambassador to the former soviet union from 1987 to 1991. he is author of several books including, "superpower illusions: how myths and false ideologies led america astray -- and how to return to reality." as well as, "reagan and gorbachev: how the cold war ended." ambassador matlock, we welcome you to democracy now! what do you think is most important to understand what is happening in ukraine today? >> well, i think one of the most important things to understand is that practically speaking, the ukrainians in the russians have to agree on what would be an acceptable way to proceed within ukraine. that is the fact of the matter. and one can talk all one wishes about how impermissible it is for russia to intervene, but the fact is, they are going to intervene until they are certain that there is no prospect of ukraine becoming a member of nato. nato to sortts by of increase defenses elsewhere, simply provocative to the russians. i'm not saying that is right, but i am saying that the wa