Pentagon asks European allies to moderate rhetoric on Russia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
Pentagon officials have asked several Nato countries, including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, to moderate their public statements about the Russian threat. The requests, made at bilateral meetings in recent weeks, are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, according to four people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.
Pentagon officials have in recent weeks asked several Nato countries, including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, to moderate their public statements about the Russian threat. They believe some remarks by European leaders undermine the continent’s security, according to four people familiar with the exchanges cited by Reuters.
The messages were conveyed during bilateral meetings. Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon policy official leading a review of US military forces in Europe, was among the American officials who relayed them. A Pentagon official declined to comment on the private exchanges.
The move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration renews its efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, which has entered its fifth year. US proposals combine incentives for Russia, including sanctions relief, with pressure on Ukraine to stop its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Within Nato, some officials fear that emphasising the Russian threat would serve the Kremlin’s interests, while others believe voters should be informed about the risks and the means needed to address them. Russia denies conducting a covert sabotage campaign in Europe.
