Pentagon Asked Baltic States to Tone Down Rhetoric on Russia, Reuters Reports

In brief

• Pentagon officials asked several NATO members, including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, to soften rhetoric about the Russian threat.
• The requests were reportedly made in bilateral meetings, and it is unknown whether other European governments received them.
• Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's policy chief, was among the US officials reportedly passing on the message.
• A Pentagon official declined to comment, saying private conversations between allies remain private.

Requests to NATO members

Over recent weeks, Pentagon representatives asked several NATO countries, including the three Baltic states, to tone down their rhetoric about the threat from Russia, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters (Пентагон просив балтійські країни помʼякшити риторику щодо РФ, – Reuters – Espreso). Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are named among those asked to restrain public statements. Reuters could not establish whether other European governments received similar requests.

The Pentagon's argument

According to the sources, the Pentagon argues that some statements by European leaders and officials undermine security across the continent («Просто не кричите». Пентагон призвал страны Балтии сдержаннее высказываться в адрес РФ — Reuters – NV). Asked about the reports, a Pentagon official said private conversations between allies remain private and declined to comment on the allegations.

Statements that drew attention

US officials objected to European leaders saying Russia had been pushed into a corner and was resorting to increasingly desperate measures as its invasion of Ukraine barely advanced. One example cited was a remark by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal from late September, who described Putin as a rat cornered by the war and suggested Russia was turning to sabotage in Europe (Пентагон попросил страны НАТО смягчить риторику относительно российской угрозы. Вероятно, из-за Эстонии, где Путина назвали «загнанной в угол крысой» – Meduza). In another meeting, the Pentagon reportedly urged the Estonian delegation to show restraint in public comments. Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's policy chief, reportedly told a Baltic official not to provoke Russia.

Differing views on public statements

Some Western officials reportedly believe that emphasizing the Russian threat could help Moscow. Others argue that European governments must speak openly about the danger to explain why sacrifices and resources are needed to deter Russia. Some European officials were surprised by the Pentagon's advice. The guidance reportedly came as the White House intensified efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine (Пентагон порадив деяким країнам Європи не "дратувати" Росію, - Reuters – UNIAN).

Baltic states' concerns

The Baltic states, which border Russia, have long been worried about the threat from Moscow. European countries also accuse Russia of a series of sabotage incidents.