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posted ago by OldSoulPatriot ago by OldSoulPatriot +27 / -0

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/2578099/pentagon-press-secretary-conducts-a-press-briefing/source/GovDelivery/

"It is the largest buildup we've seen since -- certainly since 2014, which resulted in the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. And, again, I'm not going to -- I'm not prepared to qualify for you how much bigger it is. It is certainly bigger than that -- than that one in 2014."

"We remain seriously concerned about this build up, and we call on Russia to be more transparent about their intentions."

"And, again, that is concerning to us. And we certainly would like to have a better sense of what their intentions are. But in the main, over the last couple of weeks, we have continued to see an increase in the forces along the border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimea."

"And in addition to that, to cease the provocations we -- there was a couple of Ukrainian soldiers killed just a couple of weeks ago -- to abide by their Minsk agreement requirement and to take actions that decreased, not escalate the tensions on that border and in Crimea."

"We do continue to see that buildup. It -- as it was before, very seriously concerning to us. And we call on Russia to obviously make their intentions more clear. We don't believe that this buildup is conducive to security and stability along the border with Ukraine, and certainly not in occupied Crimea."

"So, again, we call on the Russians to cease their provocations and to contribute to better security and stability there. And they can start by being more transparent about what their intentions are and what they're doing."