US urges European NATO allies to moderate statements on Russia

High-ranking officials in the U.S. Department of Defense have advised Baltic states to tone down their rhetoric towards Moscow during bilateral talks. This guidance, reportedly from Elbridge Colby, emphasizes avoiding provocation of Russia, especially in light of comments from European leaders about President Putin feeling cornered. The Pentagon has not confirmed these discussions, stating that conversations with allies are private. Meanwhile, President Trump appears to be aligning more with Russia in the Ukraine conflict, blaming President Zelensky for stalled peace negotiations. This situation has led to a debate within NATO about how European leaders should address the Russian threat, with experts agreeing on Putin's role as a security risk for Europe.