Problematic Baltics. Stop provoking Putin, demands Pentagon

U.S. officials have urged several NATO European members to tone down their rhetoric towards Russia, particularly regarding comments made by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The Pentagon is concerned about provocative statements, especially from the Baltic states, as the U.S. administration seeks to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Recent private communications from the Pentagon suggest that while they support their allies, they prefer a less confrontational approach in public discourse. This comes amid a review of U.S. military presence in Europe, aiming to shift more defense responsibilities to European NATO members.