These are about deterrent and defensive measures. They are in -- precisely in response to the current security environment in light of this increasingly threatening behavior by the Russian Federation.
Price explains the rationale behind the deployment of troops as a defensive measure against Russian aggression.
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We want to send a single, unambiguously clear message to the Russian Federation that this is unacceptable. This is something that we take very seriously.
It is never in our interest to see Russian aircraft and American aircraft coming to such close contact. We want to make clear as we did today, as we did yesterday, that this kind of activity should cease.
If they do invade in the coming days, it will make clear they were never serious about diplomacy.
We have made very clear to Moscow in no uncertain terms from the State Department, from the Defense Department, in military channels as well, that this is unacceptable, and it's dangerous.