Pentagon’s call to Baltic countries to soften rhetoric toward Russia

According to the Reuters agency, in recent weeks, Pentagon representatives have called on several NATO member countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, to soften the tone of their public statements regarding threats emanating from Russia. According to American officials, some statements by European leaders and officials are harming the continent's security. 1TV+6

According to sources, Elbridge Colby, the head of the Pentagon's policy department, who is a key figure in the process of reviewing the number of U.S. military contingents in Europe, participated in conveying this message. According to one source, Colby told a Baltic representative that there is no need to provoke the Russians and cited as an example statements by European leaders that Russia is "cornered." 1TV+4

Interpressnews and Imedinews note that it is unknown which specific statement Colby was referring to, although at the end of September, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called Vladimir Putin a "cornered rat." According to a European official, the Pentagon's advice was delivered in a friendly tone, but such calls caused surprise. Imedi+4

According to Imedinews, the U.S. request coincides with a period when the Donald Trump administration has renewed attempts to end the war in Ukraine through negotiations, which also implies the possibility of easing sanctions on Russia. In response to a journalist's question, a Pentagon representative stated that private conversations between allies are just that, and they will not comment on these allegations. Imedi