Pentagon asks Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to soften Russia rhetoric

The United States has urged European countries to tone down their rhetoric toward Russia, Reuters reported, citing four sources. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are among those that received the message; it is unclear whether other states did. The Baltic countries are the sharpest critics of Russia in Europe.

What bothered the Americans

U.S. officials took note of statements that Russia poses a threat to Europe. They also noticed hints from European leaders that Russia has been backed into a corner and is resorting to ever more desperate acts because its invasion of Ukraine has nearly stalled.

Such remarks come at a time when, as the outlet notes, Russian forces are not advancing at the front while Ukrainian troops are liberating territory in some areas. Moscow, by the same account, is out of desperation striking civilians from the air.

Who delivered the message

Among the American officials who passed on the request was Elbridge Colby, a key figure in the ongoing review of the number of U.S. troops in Europe. Three European sources and one American source told Reuters that none of them suggested the message was delivered in a confrontational way.

Why it is happening now

The request comes as the Trump administration renews its effort to negotiate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The latest initiative combines incentives for Russia, including easing sanctions, with pressure on Ukraine to stop its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

In addition, the U.S. briefly stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine and curtailed its access to Starshield, the military version of Starlink. As a result, the outlet writes, Ukrainians were unable to defend themselves effectively.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz