Pentagon representatives in recent weeks have asked Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to soften their public rhetoric toward Russia. As Reuters reports, citing four sources, Washington believes that harsh statements by European leaders undermine the continent’s security and hinder diplomacy.
One of the American officials conveying this signal was the head of the Pentagon’s policy office, Elbridge Colby, who is involved in reviewing the number of American troops in Europe. According to a source, at a meeting with a representative of one of the Baltic countries he stated that Russia should not be “taunted.”
Particular concern in the US was caused by statements by European leaders that Russia is “cornered” and, due to the slowdown of its offensive in Ukraine, is resorting to increasingly desperate measures. Colby cited the phrase that Moscow is behaving “like a rat cornered” as an example of unproductive rhetoric. In particular, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal at the end of September called Vladimir Putin “a rat in a corner.” He linked this to alleged sabotage in Europe against the backdrop of Russia “getting bogged down” in the war against Ukraine.
Growing disagreements within NATO are becoming increasingly obvious.
