Pentagon officials in recent weeks have held private meetings with representatives of NATO countries in which they urged...

Pentagon officials in recent weeks have held private meetings with representatives of NATO countries in which they urged more restrained language about the threat posed by Russia. In particular, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia received such appeals, and U.S. officials believe that overly sharp rhetoric from European leaders could negatively affect the continent's security.

This was reported by Reuters. Four people familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity provided the agency with the information.

One of the U.S. officials who conveyed these messages was Ely Ratner Colby, the head of the Pentagon’s political-military affairs office. He is taking part in the review of U.S. troop levels in Europe.

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