NEW DELHI: The Pentagon has privately urged several European NATO members to moderate their public statements about the threat posed by Russia, warning that aggressive rhetoric could undermine security across the continent, according to a report published on October 30.

Officials from the US Department of Defence have conveyed the message to representatives of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia during bilateral meetings in recent weeks, four people familiar with the discussions .

The requests come amid growing differences within NATO over how European governments should publicly describe Russia’s military and security threat. While some European leaders believe strong warnings are necessary to prepare their populations for potential security challenges, US officials have reportedly cautioned against statements that could further provoke Moscow.

The development comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump renews efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has entered its fifth year.

The latest diplomatic initiative reportedly combines possible incentives for Moscow, including sanctions relief, with pressure on Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

The Pentagon’s intervention also comes at a time when Washington is reviewing its military presence in Europe and urging European NATO members to assume greater responsibility for their own defence.

US asks Baltic countries to moderate public statements

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are among the countries that have received private messages from Pentagon officials asking them to exercise restraint in their public communications about Russia.

The discussions were reportedly conducted through bilateral meetings rather than formal public announcements.

One of the US officials involved in delivering the message was Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, who is also a key figure in the ongoing review of American troop deployments in Europe.

Four people familiar with the discussions, including three European officials and one US official, told Reuters that the requests were not delivered in a confrontational manner.

One source said Colby recently told a Baltic official that European governments should avoid “poking” Russia through their public statements.

The official reportedly referred to descriptions of Russia as being “cornered like a rat” as an example of rhetoric that Washington considered unhelpful.

It was not immediately clear which specific statement Colby was referring to. However, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal had described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “rat in a corner” in late September.

Michal had suggested that Moscow was increasingly resorting to sabotage activities in Europe as its military campaign in Ukraine became more difficult.

In another meeting, Pentagon officials reportedly advised an Estonian delegation to be “measured” in its public communications, although the person familiar with the encounter did not identify any particular statement that had prompted the intervention.

A European official described the American approach to Reuters by saying: “We are helping you. The Americans are there. Just don’t be loud. Don’t make noise.”

The Pentagon declined to comment on the specific allegations.

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

The defence ministries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia did not respond to requests for comment, while NATO also declined to comment.

NATO divided over how to address Russia’s threat

The American requests reflect a wider debate within NATO over the appropriate way to communicate the security threat posed by Russia.

Some Western officials believe that repeatedly highlighting Moscow’s military capabilities and potential aggression could benefit the Kremlin. According to this view, strong public warnings may increase anxiety among European populations and weaken support for Ukraine.

They also argue that exaggerated or confrontational language could create unnecessary tensions at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the war remain ongoing.

However, another section of European officials believes governments must be transparent about the security risks facing the continent.

They argue that citizens need to understand the potential consequences of Russian military activity and covert operations to appreciate why European countries must invest more resources in defence.

This debate has become particularly significant as Western intelligence agencies have warned about an apparent increase in sabotage activities and other covert operations across Europe.

Russia has denied conducting such a campaign.

The disagreement also highlights the different priorities within the transatlantic alliance. Washington is seeking to maintain diplomatic engagement with Moscow while encouraging European countries to strengthen their independent defence capabilities.

Several European governments, meanwhile, continue to favour a tougher approach towards Russia, including maintaining economic pressure and supporting Ukraine’s military resistance.

European countries report growing concerns over sabotage

The Pentagon’s advice has come amid increasing concerns among European security agencies about activities allegedly linked to Russia.

Western intelligence officials have said Moscow has intensified a campaign of deniable attacks targeting NATO countries.

Recent incidents in Germany have added to these concerns.

On Wednesday, German prosecutors announced that two Belarusian nationals had been arrested over an alleged plan to set fire to a building or a critical infrastructure facility in the Nuremberg area.

The arrests came amid wider investigations into suspected sabotage operations in Germany and other European countries.

In September, the German government blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Moscow denied the allegations.

European officials have argued that such incidents demonstrate why governments cannot afford to downplay the potential threat from Russia.

One European official familiar with the Pentagon’s recent communications reportedly described the American advice as baffling.

According to the official, intelligence services in the Baltic countries have consistently played down the likelihood of Russia directly testing NATO’s collective defence commitments in recent months.

Other NATO intelligence agencies, however, have publicly warned that Russia could significantly expand its sabotage operations across Europe in the near future.

The differences illustrate the challenge facing NATO as it attempts to maintain a common security position while its members disagree over the language and diplomatic approach to Moscow.

Trump’s Ukraine peace push adds to tensions

The Pentagon’s communication with European allies comes as the Trump administration renews its efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

The latest American initiative reportedly includes discussions about potential economic incentives for Russia, including sanctions relief, as part of a possible peace arrangement.

At the same time, Washington has been pressing Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

These efforts have received mixed reactions from European governments. Several European officials remain in favour of maintaining economic isolation of the Kremlin until there is a negotiated settlement that addresses Ukraine’s security concerns.

The possibility of renewed commercial engagement with Russia has also raised questions about the future of Western sanctions and the extent to which economic concessions could form part of a peace agreement.

For European governments, the challenge is to balance diplomatic opportunities with concerns that easing pressure on Moscow could weaken their security position.

The United States’ approach has therefore become an important subject of discussion among NATO members, particularly those located closest to Russian territory.

Pentagon reviews US military presence in Europe

Alongside its diplomatic efforts, the Pentagon is reviewing Washington’s military force posture across Europe.

The assessment could result in a significant reduction in the number of American troops stationed on the continent.

US officials have repeatedly argued that European NATO members must take greater responsibility for their own defence rather than relying heavily on American military support.

Washington’s position is also influenced by its wider security priorities, including developments in the Middle East, Latin America and East Asia.

The Trump administration wants greater flexibility to deploy American military resources according to its assessment of global threats.

For European countries, however, a possible reduction in US military presence raises questions about the alliance’s long-term deterrence capabilities, particularly as Russia continues its war against Ukraine.

The Baltic countries, which share borders or close geographical proximity with Russia and Belarus, remain particularly sensitive to changes in NATO’s military posture.

The American request to moderate public statements must therefore be viewed against two parallel developments: Washington’s efforts to pursue negotiations with Moscow and its push for European allies to strengthen their own defence capabilities.

A delicate balance within NATO

The Pentagon’s reported intervention highlights the competing priorities shaping NATO’s approach to Russia.

While Washington is seeking to create diplomatic space for negotiations over Ukraine, several European governments believe public warnings about Russian activities remain necessary to maintain public awareness and support for defence spending.

The disagreement does not necessarily indicate a breakdown in cooperation between the United States and its European allies. However, it reveals differences over how the alliance should communicate threats and manage relations with Moscow.

With the Ukraine war continuing, concerns over alleged sabotage operations increasing and the future of American troop deployments under review, NATO members face the challenge of maintaining a common security strategy despite differing diplomatic priorities.

For now, the Pentagon appears to be encouraging restraint in public language while continuing private discussions with European partners over the continent’s security responsibilities.