CNN Rides To Front Lines In ISIS Fight; Russia Launched Air Strikes On U.S. Backed Syrian Rebels
PAUL: An extraordinary moment in U.S./Russian relations. A conference call was arranged yesterday after Russian forces launched an air strike on an American backed Syrian rebels fighting ISIS near the Jordanian border late last week. Now a senior defense official tells CNN the incident -- quote -- "raises concerns about Russian intentions". In the meantime Russian president, Vladimir Putin, told CNN's Fareed Zakaria that U.S. -- the U.S. needs to back out of Russian affairs and stop meddling.</s>VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (via translator): The U.S. is a great power. At the moment it is probably the only super power and we accept this fact. We want to work with the U.S. and we are ready to do that. And no matter how these elections are held, eventually they will be held. There will be a new head of state, elected. They will have brought authority. I know that there are complex, economic and political processes in the United States, at the moment, the world needs a country as strong as the U.S. is, and we do need the U.S. too. But what we do not need is for them to interfere with our affairs all the time. To instruct us how to live, to prevent Europe from building relations with us.</s>PAUL: CNN contributor and former CNN Moscow bureau chief, Jill Dougherty, joining us now. Jill, good to see you this morning. So the air strike on American backed rebels telling the U.S. to stop meddling. These words from President Putin. The thing is, ISIS is not just a Russian affair. This affects the U.S. so how does he tell the U.S. to stop meddling?</s>PAUL: So what do you think Russia's end game is here besides getting a seat at the table? Is there more?</s>DOUGHERTY: Well there always is. But I think, you know, number one, there are very immediate objectives that Vladimir Putin has. Get rid of those economic sanctions. The sanctions that are hurting Russia, the sanctions that the United States is imposing, and the sanctions that Europe is imposing. That was really his mission when he was speaking to Fareed. He wants the United States and Europe to stop the sanctions, let's get back to business. He never mentioned reason that the sanctions were imposed, and that is Ukraine. So that's number one. And then longer, it really is his idea that Russia is back, and Russia is much stronger than it ever has been before. Russia is insurgent and wants a voice in almost any major issue around the world.</s>PAUL: He also talked about Donald Trump, saying that he welcomed Trump's wish to restore U.S./Russian relations. What do you make of that considering the fact that Donald Trump has not been elected? We haven't elected our next president yet.</s>DOUGHERTY: Yes. He kind of deafly turned that around. Essentially what he's saying is, look, Russia wants to get back to business. Let's forget all about this Ukraine stuff. Let's forget about these sanctions. Let's go back and work together. And so he is making an overture to whoever the new president of the United States will be, and trying, I think to show, and probably on some level, genuinely, he wants a good relationship. This is not been good for Russia. Oil prices are very low, and the sanctions are hurting. He does want to work with the United States on some level. But he doesn't want it on U.S. terms. He wants to be able to set some of that agenda too.</s>PAUL: Jill Dougherty, always so grateful to have your voice in these conversations. Thank you for being here.</s>DOUGHERTY: OK (ph).</s>PAUL: And be sure to watch Fareed Zakaria's "GPS" special. It is this morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern right here on CNN. And later tonight you can watch the premiere of a new CNN series "DECLASSIFIED, UNTOLD STORIES OF AMERICAN SPIES," in what was then the Soviet Union, that's tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern here on</s>CNN. BLACKWELL: Can they do it? Now if you're basketball fan, you know what it is, and who "they are." I'm talking about LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Can they come back -- thank you, Ohio. Can they come back after being down 3-1 in the finals to win the championship? Game seven tonight. Melissa Knowles has more on the historic night ahead.</s>MELISSA KNOWLES, CNN SPORTS: That's right. The Cavs are looking to make history, Victor. Basketball's two biggest stars, Stephen Curry and LeBron James, facing off tonight in the epic game that every player dreams about. We'll get you ready for tonight's Cavs/Warriors showdown.