Pentagon officials urged European NATO allies to moderate public statements about Russia
Pentagon officials have privately asked Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to tone down public statements about the Russian threat, saying some rhetoric could undermine security efforts, Reuters reported, citing four people familiar with the matter. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, involved in a review of U.S. troop levels in Europe, was among those delivering the message.
More context
Pentagon officials have privately urged several European NATO allies to moderate their public statements about the threat posed by Russia, with Reuters citing four people familiar with the matter who said the rhetoric could hamper security efforts. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia received the message in bilateral meetings, though it was unclear whether similar requests were made to other European governments.
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, who is participating in an ongoing review of U.S. troop numbers in Europe, was one of the officials delivering the message, according to Reuters. One person familiar with the matter said U.S. officials took note of remarks suggesting Russia was increasingly cornered or resorting to desperate measures as its war in Ukraine slowed. In a separate meeting, officials urged an Estonian delegation to be “measured” in public communications.
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Reporting
- Türkiye Today — Pentagon reportedly urges NATO allies to tone down rhetoric on Russia - Türkiye Today
- Syrian Arab News Agency — Pentagon urges NATO allies to tone down rhetoric on Russia, Reuters reports
Verifier’s note
Türkiye Today and SANA report that Pentagon officials urged European NATO allies to moderate their rhetoric on Russia, consistent with the proposed event, but both attribute the account to Reuters. Kyiv Post reports the Estonian prime minister’s response rather than the central claim.