Sinkevicius says nobody asked him to soften rhetoric on Russia
Mindaugas SinkevičiusLithuanian prime minister
Sinkevičius says he has received no request, written or spoken, to soften his rhetoric on Russia. He says Lithuania's position and his own position toward its eastern neighbors remain unchanged.
“Niekas nieko manęs nėra prašęs, net ir prašymai nežinau, kokie galėtų būti, raštu ar žodžiu.”
Reporting
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
Reporting
About this source
Directly attributed speaker response.
Before the quotation
Speaking to journalists in Birstonas, Sinkevicius comments on the Reuters report. The quotation is in Lithuanian and denies receiving a request.
After the quotation
The BNS report separately says the presidency received no such request and Kaunas had no information about such requests.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference is the reported request to Baltic governments to moderate their rhetoric. Sinkevicius says he has personally received no such request and that Lithuania's position is unchanged.
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The Dispute Index. "Sinkevicius says nobody asked him to soften rhetoric on Russia". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/8039-sinkevi%C4%8Dius-says-he-has-received-no-request-written