Pentagon urges European allies to moderate Russia rhetoric amid Ukraine war

Pentagon officials have asked several NATO countries to tone down their public rhetoric regarding the threat posed by Russia, four people familiar with the matter said. The officials argued that some statements by European leaders and officials have undermined continental security.

Among the nations that received messages urging them to keep public statements in check are Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The people, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was not clear whether the messages were conveyed to other European governments beyond those three Baltic states.

“Private conversations among allies are just that, so we will not comment on these allegations.”

The messages were delivered in bilateral meetings in recent weeks. None of the people, who include three European officials and one US official, suggested the advice was communicated in a confrontational manner.

The US requests come as the Trump administration restarts an effort to press for a negotiated end to the full-scale war in Ukraine, now well into its fifth year. The latest push has blended incentives for Russia, including sanctions relief, with pressure on Ukraine to halt its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, a key figure in an ongoing review of US troop levels in Europe, was one of the US officials delivering the message. Reuters could not determine what other officials were involved.

US officials have paid attention to suggestions by European leaders that Russia is cornered and resorting to increasingly desperate measures as its invasion of Ukraine slows to a crawl. Some Western officials argue that emphasizing the threat posed by Moscow could play into the hands of the Kremlin, which they say seeks to sow fear and undermine support for Ukraine.

Others argue European governments must be transparent to show their electorates that sacrifice and resources are needed to keep Moscow at bay. That is especially true as Russia appears to accelerate a covert campaign of sabotage throughout the Continent.