The Pentagon is asking the Baltic states and other NATO allies to talk less about the Russian threat to "avoid provoking" Moscow, Reuters reports, citing sources. Such requests were received in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. American officials believed that some statements by European leaders undermined the continent's security. One of those who delivered this message was Elbridge Colby, head of the Pentagon's policy directorate. He called not to "provoke" Russia and cited as an example statements that Russia "went into a corner like a rat." It's not exactly known what phrase Colby was referring to, but in late September, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called Putin a "rat in the corner." "Michal said at the time that the Russian leader resorted to sabotage in Europe because Russia is stuck more and more in Ukraine. One European official conveyed the Americans' message as follows: "We are helping you. The Americans are here. Just don't be too loud. don't make noise NATO does not have a unified view of such rhetoric. Some officials believe that warnings about the Russian threat play into the Kremlin's hands, as it seeks to sow fear. Others insist that Europe must speak openly about the danger, especially against the backdrop of intensified Russian sabotage on the continent. Pictured is Elbridge Colby / Reuters.

The Pentagon is asking the Baltic states and other NATO allies to talk less about the Russian threat to "avoid provoking" Moscow, Reuters reports, citing sources. Such requests were received in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. American officials believed that some statements by European leaders undermined the continent's security. One of those who delivered this message was Elbridge Colby, head of the Pentagon's policy directorate. He called not to "provoke" Russia and cited as an example statements that Russia "went into a corner like a rat." It's not exactly known what phrase Colby was referring to, but in late September, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called Putin a "rat in the corner." "Michal said at the time that the Russian leader resorted to sabotage in Europe because Russia is stuck more and more in Ukraine. One European official conveyed the Americans' message as follows: "We are helping you. The Americans are here. Just don't be too loud. don't make noise NATO does not have a unified view of such rhetoric. Some officials believe that warnings about the Russian threat play into the Kremlin's hands, as it seeks to sow fear. Others insist that Europe must speak openly about the danger, especially against the backdrop of intensified Russian sabotage on the continent. Pictured is Elbridge Colby / Reuters.