Don't Poke the Bear: Pentagon Asks Europe to Tone Down Russia Rhetoric

Pentagon officials have privately urged European NATO allies to temper their public statements about Russia, arguing that some remarks have weakened security in Europe.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were among the countries approached in bilateral meetings in recent weeks, four people familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

Whether Washington delivered similar requests to other European governments was unclear.

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, was among the officials carrying the message.

Sources, including three European officials and one U.S. official, described the exchanges as cordial rather than confrontational.

The requests coincide with Washington’s renewed effort to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

That initiative has combined possible sanctions relief for Moscow with pressure on Kyiv to stop striking Russian energy facilities.

Warning Against 'Poking' Moscow

One person familiar with the discussions said Colby had told a Baltic official there should be no “poking” directed at Russia.

He cited European descriptions of Moscow as cornered as an example of rhetoric Washington considered unhelpful.

The specific remark he had in mind could not be established.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described Vladimir Putin as a “rat in a corner” in late September, linking suspected Russian sabotage in Europe to Moscow’s difficulties in Ukraine.

In another recent meeting, Pentagon officials asked an Estonian delegation to moderate its communications, according to a person briefed on the exchange.

That account did not identify any particular statement the Americans had challenged.

A separate European official characterized Washington’s message as: “We are helping you. The Americans are there.” The official added: “Just don't be loud. Don't make noise.”

The Pentagon declined to discuss the exchanges. NATO also declined to comment, while the defense ministries of the three Baltic states did not respond to requests for comment.

Disagreement Over Public Warnings

The discussions expose differences within NATO over how governments should explain the Russian threat to their populations.

Some Western officials believe prominent warnings amplify the fear Moscow seeks to spread and risk eroding support for Ukraine.

Others say public candor is necessary to secure backing for the spending and sacrifices required to deter Russia.

One European official found the Pentagon’s advice puzzling because Baltic intelligence agencies have recently played down the likelihood of Russia testing NATO’s collective defense commitments.

Other allied intelligence services have warned of a potentially substantial increase in sabotage.

Western intelligence officials say Moscow has intensified covert attacks against NATO countries. Russia denies conducting such a campaign.

German prosecutors said on Wednesday that two Belarusians had been arrested over an alleged plan to burn a building or critical infrastructure near Nuremberg.

Berlin separately blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in September, an allegation Moscow rejected.

Troop Review Adds to Uncertainty

Colby is also a central figure in Washington’s review of its military deployments in Europe, which could produce a substantial reduction in U.S. forces.

American officials want European allies to shoulder more of their own defense as Washington concentrates on the Middle East, Latin America and East Asia.

Meanwhile, U.S. discussions of possible commercial deals with Russia have received mixed responses in Europe, where many officials continue to favor Moscow’s economic isolation.