"You don't, sir," Elizabeth said, taking her seat. "The Russians didn't cut that cable to start a war. They did it because they want us to acknowledge their new claim on the Lomonosov Ridge. It’s a land grab, not a declaration of hostilities. If we go in guns blazing, we play right into their 'Western aggression' narrative." "So what's the play?" Dalton asked.
Elizabeth took a long sip and leaned against the counter, the weight of the day finally lifting. "Still turning. For today, anyway." Madam Secretary - Season 4
The debate lasted two hours. Russell Jackson, ever the pragmatist, paced the room. "And if they refuse? We look like we're haggling while they're holding our communications hostage." "You don't, sir," Elizabeth said, taking her seat
"They won't refuse," Elizabeth said firmly. "Because if they do, I tell the Swedish and Norwegian ministers exactly what’s on that cable they cut—information that makes the Kremlin look very, very bad to their own allies." It’s a land grab, not a declaration of hostilities