Matulionis supports calm but firm language while denying U.S. pressure
Deividas MatulionisSenior national security adviser to Lithuania's president
Matulionis says Lithuania needs concrete action rather than constant rhetorical escalation. He supports calm but firm language, while saying the presidency received no Pentagon request and Lithuania's rhetoric has not changed.
“reikalingi veiksmai, o ne nuolatinis būgnų tratinimas.”
Interview
Where this statement fits
Reuters reports Pentagon officials asked Baltic states to tone down their rhetoric on Russia; Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal says Estonia will stay outspoken
On October 30, 2026, Reuters reported, citing four unnamed people, that Pentagon officials had asked Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in recent weeks to tone down their public rhetoric about the threat from Russia, and that Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby was among the officials delivering the message. A Pentagon official declined to comment on what the official called private conversations among allies. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Delfi that Estonia would remain outspoken about the threat from Russia, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said Lithuania states facts and will continue to do so.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Original interview or signed commentary.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Asked about the Reuters report, Matulionis says the presidency has received no request. The quotation is in Lithuanian and says action is needed rather than constant drumbeating.
After the quotation
He says Russia's threat is already understood and calls for calm but resolute language backed by stronger defense. He denies that the approach reflects external pressure.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference is the call for restrained rhetoric about Russia. Matulionis supports that substantive approach, including avoiding deliberate provocation, but does not confirm or endorse a U.S. instruction to Lithuania.
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The Dispute Index. "Matulionis supports calm but firm language while denying U.S. pressure". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/8038-matulionis-says-lithuania-needs-concrete-action-rather-than