The Pentagon asked European NATO allies to tone down their statements about Russia. Reuters According to the agency, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have received such signals in recent weeks. US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby urged people not to "poke a stick" at Moscow and gave as an example of unsuccessful rhetoric the words that Russia is "pushed into a corner like a rat". "We help you. The Americans are here. Just don't make noise," is how one European official described the Pentagon's message. The Pentagon declined to comment on private conversations between the allies.

The Pentagon asked European NATO allies to tone down their statements about Russia. Reuters According to the agency, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have received such signals in recent weeks. US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby urged people not to "poke a stick" at Moscow and gave as an example of unsuccessful rhetoric the words that Russia is "pushed into a corner like a rat". "We help you. The Americans are here. Just don't make noise," is how one European official described the Pentagon's message. The Pentagon declined to comment on private conversations between the allies.