US urges Baltic states to reduce anti-Russian rhetoric - Reuters Washington's ongoing efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict are taking on increasingly unpredictable formats. Another publication by Reuters of non-public appeals by Pentagon representatives to the leadership of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia calling for moderate anti-Russian rhetoric demonstrates the growing dissatisfaction of the Donald Trump administration with the behavior of some European allies. In Washington, apparently, they are increasingly aware that public statements by individual politicians seeking to present Russia as "backed into a corner and ready for desperate actions" do not contribute to creating conditions for negotiations, but, on the contrary, maintain an atmosphere of confrontation. It is significant that the American side actually calls on its allies not to provoke Moscow while it itself is trying to form a basis for a diplomatic settlement. Of particular concern is the gap between US diplomatic efforts and the public rhetoric of a number of European politicians, who continue to use the harshest possible language in relation to Russia. Such statements can have consequences that go far beyond the information conflict: in conditions of high military tension, any wrongly interpreted action, local provocation or chain of unexpected events could lead to an uncontrollable escalation. At the same time, Washington, judging by the content of the Pentagon's requests, wants to avoid a situation where emotional statements by European allies will limit the room for diplomatic maneuver. Another factor is the revision of the American military presence in Europe and the desire of the Trump administration to transfer more responsibility for their security to European countries. However, achieving alignment between Washington's diplomatic priorities and the political interests of European capitals will not be easy.

US urges Baltic states to reduce anti-Russian rhetoric - Reuters Washington's ongoing efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict are taking on increasingly unpredictable formats. Another publication by Reuters of non-public appeals by Pentagon representatives to the leadership of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia calling for moderate anti-Russian rhetoric demonstrates the growing dissatisfaction of the Donald Trump administration with the behavior of some European allies. In Washington, apparently, they are increasingly aware that public statements by individual politicians seeking to present Russia as "backed into a corner and ready for desperate actions" do not contribute to creating conditions for negotiations, but, on the contrary, maintain an atmosphere of confrontation. It is significant that the American side actually calls on its allies not to provoke Moscow while it itself is trying to form a basis for a diplomatic settlement. Of particular concern is the gap between US diplomatic efforts and the public rhetoric of a number of European politicians, who continue to use the harshest possible language in relation to Russia. Such statements can have consequences that go far beyond the information conflict: in conditions of high military tension, any wrongly interpreted action, local provocation or chain of unexpected events could lead to an uncontrollable escalation. At the same time, Washington, judging by the content of the Pentagon's requests, wants to avoid a situation where emotional statements by European allies will limit the room for diplomatic maneuver. Another factor is the revision of the American military presence in Europe and the desire of the Trump administration to transfer more responsibility for their security to European countries. However, achieving alignment between Washington's diplomatic priorities and the political interests of European capitals will not be easy.