Pentagon asks NATO allies, including Baltic states, to tone down rhetoric on Russia

Requests to several NATO members

Pentagon officials have asked several NATO members in recent weeks to temper their public statements about the threat from Russia, arguing that some remarks by European leaders and officials have undermined the continent's security. Four people familiar with the matter told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity, and the agency published its exclusive on Friday, 30 October 2026. Three of the four sources are European government representatives and one is an American official, according to the report. The requests were passed on during bilateral meetings. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are among the countries that received them, while Reuters could not establish whether other governments, including Germany, were also approached.

Colby's role and the Baltic exchange

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's policy chief, is among the officials who conveyed the message, the sources said. He is also a key figure in an ongoing review of the American troop presence in Europe. According to one source, Colby told a representative of a Baltic state that there should be no further jabs at Russia, citing European politicians who had said Moscow was being cornered like a rat. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal used the phrase "rat in the corner" for Vladimir Putin in late September, arguing that the Russian army was barely advancing in Ukraine and that Moscow was therefore relying more on sabotage in Europe. Reuters could not determine whether Colby was specifically criticising Michal's remark. The Pentagon declined to comment on the allegations, saying private discussions between allies remain private.

Ukraine talks and Western divisions

The requests come as the Trump administration renews its push for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, which is now in its fifth year. The latest US initiative pairs incentives for Russia, including easing sanctions, with pressure on Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Some Western officials argue that stressing the threat from Moscow plays into the Kremlin's hands by stoking fear and eroding public support for further aid to Ukraine. Others contend that governments should openly tell citizens how serious the threat is, to justify defence spending and the sacrifices needed to deter Russia. Defence ministries in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia did not answer Reuters' questions, and NATO declined to comment.

Reaction in Romania

Romanian Defence Minister Radu Oprea said on Antena 3 on Thursday evening, 29 October 2026, that Colby is expected in Romania in the week of 2 November 2026. The minister spoke of many areas of joint work with the United States and cited Black Sea security as one of them. Oprea said that as NATO members, Romania needs a strong American presence on its territory and in the alliance. He framed the United States as a possible guarantor of Romania's security. The articles do not say whether Colby's planned visit is linked to the requests reported by Reuters.

“For Romania's security, yes, the US can be a guarantor.”