to the black sea as part of a routine rotation. >> sending a few fighter jets into the baltic states doesn't send a message that mr. putin can understand. the only message he understands is oh, and the only legitimate power that he fears on the borders of ukraine is some form of ground presence in poland or the baltic states. >> reporter: yet for a second day on capitol hill the u.s. defense secretary and joint chiefs chairman took questions about deep budget cuts from sequestration and reducing the size of the army. >> the white house fact sheets make it clear that defense is not a priority in this budget. >> this is not the military the president nor i want. it isn't the military that this committee or this congress wants for america's future, but it is the path we are on unless congress does something to change the law. >> we're et eating away at nation's readiness for conflict which does reduce our deterrent capability. >> reporter: in addition to the u.s. defense cuts, it's not lost