mr. mckeon. the -- 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 administration's current posture on lethal assistance to ukraine? >> senator, we're still reviewing it. it's still an option. >> when do you believe this review will be completed? >> i hope soon, but i can't put a timetable on it. >> soon? is that days, weeks, months? >> i hesitate to predict, sir. >> what has your conversation been with ukraine leadership regarding this assistance? >> there are conversations going all the time in the field with the ambassador and also my -- former boss vice president has -- president pore shen coe and the prime minister on speed dial. he talks to them at least once a week it seems. i don't know the latest of what we has said to them on this issue. i think in general they're getting the same information that i'm giving you, that it's under consideration. >> your conversations have been so

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. those elements together are the best way to buy down risk and ensure stability and security. >> secretary nuland, wasn't to ask you a question for my own edification. 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 of the supply of petroleum and gas that russia could supply in the world, could that have thwarted what russia has done in 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