Russia marshalled tanks, drones, paratroopers and ships as part of a new show of force in its drive to secure “security guarantees” focusing on undertakings to ensure no further eastward expansion of NATO.

Armenia and Turkey agreed to nominate representatives to set up formal relations and Turkey’s civil aviation authority said two airlines would begin flights between Yerevan and Istanbul next month.

The U.S. president appeared to nuance a Western response, making a distinction between “a small incursion” and a full-blown invasion.