mr. mckeon said. and to your point, readiness is key to deterrence. it's fundamental to what we do. and it's coupled as secretary nuland said, align and solidarity. that's the best way to buy down risk and ensure security. >> would you consider russia's use of its infinite supply of natural gas and oil soft power? >> certainly its use of energy as a weapon. i don't know if i would call it soft. but it's certainly a tool of its influence and not always -- >> my question, i don't know the answer to this. this is not a loaded question. it's going to show my ignorance probably. but had there been a counter balance to the supply of pa toll yum and gas that russia could supply in the world, could that have thwarted what russia has done in the ukraine and crimea? >> i think their interest of controlling supplies of energy to europe is a factor. there were many other factors in play. >> but an alternative supply would have made a difference in how far russia went early on? and i'm not trying to bait you. >> i think if ukraine had been able to be more emergency dependent earlier in its perio

mr. mckeon. you mentioned in your comments to the chairman, associated press articles, german ambassador president obama agreed not to send arms to ukraine. what is the current, what is the administration's current posture on lethal assistance to ukraine? >> we are still reviewing it. it is still an option. >> when do you believe this review will be completed? >> i hope soon. i cannot put a timetable on it. >> soon, is it that days, weeks months? >> i hesitate to predict. >> what has your conversation been with ukraine leadership regarding this assistance? >> conversations go on all the time. both in the field with ambassador piat, but the vice president has put president poroshenko on speed dial. he talks to them at least once a week, it seems. i don't know the latest of what he has said to them on this issue. in general, they are getting the same information i'm giving you. it is under consideration. >> they would say the same thing to you as well? they don't know when this assistance -- >> tha

mr. mckeon.tioned in your comments ap articles, german ambassador president obama agreed not to send arms to ukraine. what is the current posture on lethal assistance to ukraine? >> we are still reviewing it. it is still an option. >> when do you believe this review will be completed? >> i hope soon. i cannot put a timetable on it. >> days, weeks, months? >> i hesitate to predict. >> what has your conversation been with ukraine leadership regarding this assistance? >> conversations go on all the time. my former boss, the vice president has put the president on speed dial. he talks to them once a week, it seems. i don't know the latest of what he has said to them on this issue. in general, they are getting the same information i'm giving you. it is under consideration. >> they would say the same thing to you as well? they don't know when this assistance -- >> that is correct. they have made that request and interests known. there is no doubt about that. >> when we are talking about the cease-fire

mr. mckeon.ed in your comments ap articles, german ambassador president obama agreed not to send arms to ukraine. what is the current posture on lethal assistance to ukraine? >> we are still reviewing it. it is still an option. >> when do you believe this review will be completed? >> i hope soon. i cannot put a timetable on it. >> days, weeks, months? >> i hesitate to predict. >> what has your conversation been with ukraine leadership regarding this assistance? >> conversations go on all the time. my former boss, the vice president has put the president on speed dial. he talks to them once a week, it seems. i don't know the latest of what he has said to them on this issue. in general, they are getting the same information i'm giving you. it is under consideration. >> they would say the same thing to you as well? they don't know when this assistance -- >> that is correct. they have made that request and interests known. there is no doubt about that. >> when we are talking about the cease-fire and