"Undermining Continental Security": Pentagon Asks Europe to Tone Down Threats Against Russia

Well-informed sources revealed that officials at the U.S. Department of Defense ("the Pentagon") requested several NATO member countries to ease their rhetoric regarding the threat posed by Russia, arguing that some statements made by European leaders and officials "undermine continental security."

According to what Reuters agency reported from sources who asked not to be identified, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were among the countries that received messages urging them to restrain their public statements. It was not clear whether these messages, delivered during bilateral meetings, were also received by other European governments.

These American demands come at a time when the Donald Trump administration is reviving its efforts to negotiate an end to the full-scale war in Ukraine, which has entered its fifth year. The latest efforts combined offering incentives to Russia, such as easing sanctions, with pressuring Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

In response to a request for comment, a Pentagon official stated, "Private conversations between allies are private discussions, so we will not comment on these allegations."

One source said that among the comments that caught the attention of American officials were statements by European leaders claiming that Russia is cornered and resorting to increasingly desperate and reckless measures as its invasion of Ukraine largely slows down.

Two sources said that Elbridge Colby, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, a pivotal figure in an ongoing review assessing levels of U.S. troop deployments in Europe, was among the American officials who conveyed the message.

None of the sources—three European officials and one American official—indicated that the message was delivered in a confrontational manner.

Avoiding "Provoking" Russia
The American messages reflect a debate within NATO on how to publicly handle the growing Russian threat.

Some Western officials believe that emphasizing the Russian threat may serve the Kremlin's interests, which they say seeks to instill fear and undermine support for Ukraine.

Others argue that European governments should demonstrate transparency to show their populations that sacrifice and resource provision are necessary to curb Moscow. This is particularly true as Russia appears to accelerate a covert sabotage campaign across the continent. Meanwhile, Russia denies carrying out such a campaign.

According to one well-informed source, Colby recently told a Baltic state official that one should not direct "provocation" toward the Russians.

The source said Colby described what Europeans had publicly said about Russia being "cornered like a mouse" as an example of futile rhetoric.

It is unclear which specific statement Colby was referring to. However, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described Putin as a "rat cornered in a wall" in late September, noting that the Russian leader resorts to sabotage acts in Europe as Moscow's war in Ukraine continues.

Another European official, describing recent messages conveyed by the Pentagon in private talks, said, "We are helping you. Americans are there... just don't be loud. Don't make noise."

In a separate meeting held recently, the Pentagon urged an Estonian delegation to be "balanced" in their communications, according to a source familiar with the encounter; however, the source did not clarify whether Pentagon officials complained about a specific statement.

Moscow Tests Europe's Resolve
One European official said that the Pentagon's advice, although friendly, is puzzling given that intelligence agencies in the Baltic states have consistently downplayed the likelihood of Russia testing NATO's collective defense principles in recent months.

In contrast, other intelligence agencies in alliance countries have publicly warned of Russia intensifying its sabotage campaign in the near future.

The Pentagon's messages to NATO country officials come at a critical time for European security.

Western intelligence officials said that Moscow has recently intensified its campaign of deniable attacks targeting NATO countries.

German prosecutors announced on Wednesday the arrest of two Belarusians on charges of planning arson against a building or vital infrastructure facility in the Nuremberg area. In September, the German government accused Russia of attempting a drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, accusations denied by Moscow.

At the same time, American officials are discussing potential trade deals with Russia as part of the Trump administration's efforts to stop the war in Ukraine. These efforts have met with mixed reactions from European officials, many of whom call for maintaining economic isolation of the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, Pentagon officials are reviewing the status of U.S. forces in Europe, a process that could lead to a sharp decline in the American military presence on the continent.

American officials said that European NATO members must take on more responsibility for defense tasks, especially as the United States focuses on threats in the Middle East, Latin America, and East Asia.