Pentagon asks European NATO allies to soften Russia rhetoric

Pentagon officials have asked European NATO members to moderate public statements on the Russian threat, deeming some remarks counterproductive.

• Pentagon officials in recent weeks asked several NATO member states to tone down rhetoric on Russia, four sources told Reuters.
• Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were among the countries that received the requests during bilateral meetings.
• Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby relayed the message, telling a Baltic official that Russians should not be "provoked."
• A Pentagon official said such conversations were private and declined to comment on the claim.