“Don’t Make Noise”: Pentagon Urges Baltic Allies to Soften Russia Rhetoric Amid Ukraine Peace Push

Inage: Collected

The Pentagon has privately asked NATO allies, including the Baltic states, to tone down their public criticism of Russia, according to a Reuters report published Friday, October 30. Officials said the request came as Washington pushes for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine and reviews the future of US troops in Europe.

“Don’t Be Loud”

Four people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Pentagon officials delivered the message in recent bilateral meetings with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby was among those who made the request.

One source said Colby told a Baltic official there should be no “poking” at the Russians, citing European remarks that described Russia as “cornered like a rat” as an example of unhelpful rhetoric. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “rat in a corner” in late September, though Reuters could not confirm whether that statement was the one referenced.

“We are helping you. The Americans are there,” a European official said, describing the message. “Just don’t be loud. Don’t make noise.”

In another meeting, an Estonian delegation was reportedly urged to be “measured” in its public communications. Sources said the advice was not delivered in a confrontational manner.

Denials From Estonia

A Pentagon official declined to comment, saying, “Private conversations among allies are just that, so we will not comment on these allegations.”

Estonia’s defense ministry rejected the report. “No such suggestions have reached us through official channels,” ministry spokeswoman Liisa Tagel told Stars and Stripes. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also said the United States had made no proposals to Estonia to change its tone.

One European official described the request as cordial but “baffling,” noting that Baltic intelligence services have repeatedly assessed that Russia is unlikely to test NATO’s collective-defense commitments.

Peace Push and Troop Review

The reported request comes as the Trump administration renews efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Washington is reportedly offering Moscow incentives, including potential sanctions relief, while pressing Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

At the same time, Pentagon planners are reviewing the US military posture in Europe. The review could result in a significant drawdown of American forces, with Colby advocating for European allies to take primary responsibility for the continent’s defense—an approach he has called “NATO 3.0.”

The diplomatic pressure comes amid a rise in deniable attacks across Europe that Western officials have linked to Russia. German prosecutors said two Belarusian nationals were arrested over an alleged arson plot near Nuremberg on October 28. Moscow denies involvement in sabotage campaigns.

The Kremlin has also ruled out European participation in the next round of US-Ukraine talks, scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi.