Pentagon Urges European Allies to Soften Public Rhetoric Against Russia

The Pentagon has urged several NATO member countries to tone down their tough public rhetoric and threats against Russia. The United States argues that some comments by European leaders and officials have harmed the security of the continent.

Reuters reported the development on Friday, citing four people familiar with the matter.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, those people said Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were among the countries asked to exercise restraint in their public statements. It is not clear whether the messages, delivered in bilateral meetings, were also conveyed to any other European government.

The US requests came at a time when the Trump administration has renewed its effort to end the full-scale war in Ukraine through negotiation. Under the new initiative, incentives have been proposed for Russia, such as easing sanctions, while pressure is being put on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

Asked for comment, a Pentagon official said: "Private discussions among allies are entirely their own matter; we will not comment on these allegations."

One person familiar with the matter said certain comments by European leaders had drawn the attention of US officials. Those comments said that Russia's aggression in Ukraine had slowed dramatically, leaving the country cornered and taking desperate steps.

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's undersecretary for policy and a leading figure in the ongoing review of US troop deployment numbers in Europe, was among the US officials who delivered the message, the people said. Reuters could not confirm which other officials were involved.

None of the people involved, including three European officials and one US official, said the advice had been given in an aggressive or confrontational manner.

The US messages reflect an ongoing debate inside NATO over how to confront the threat of an increasingly aggressive Russia in public.

Some Western officials argue that placing too much emphasis on the threat posed by Moscow could serve the Kremlin's purpose, because the Kremlin wants to spread fear and weaken support for Ukraine.

Others argue that European governments should be transparent with their publics so that people understand the sacrifices and resources needed to keep Moscow at bay — especially at a time when Russia appears to have stepped up covert sabotage activities across the European continent.

Russia has denied conducting any such campaign.

One person familiar with the matter told Reuters that Colby recently told an official from the Baltic region that there should be no "provocative behaviour" directed at the Russians.

The person said Colby cited examples of European comments that had publicly described Russia as having been pushed into a state "like a cornered rat". He described such statements as unnecessary and harmful.

It is not clear exactly which comment Colby was referring to. In late September, however, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called Putin a "cornered rat". He said that, becoming increasingly bogged down in Ukraine, Russia had now chosen the path of carrying out sabotage activities in Europe.

Another European official described the Pentagon's recent private message this way: "We are helping you. The Americans are also beside you. Do not make too much noise unnecessarily. Do not create a commotion."