Former Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor said on a YouTube channel that the Baltic states want to pull the United States into a conflict with Russia.
According to Macgregor, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia would be willing to draw Washington into a confrontation, but the United States does not need a war with Russia and will not pursue one.
He argued that Washington should take a tougher line and avoid being drawn in by provocative actions from Baltic politicians. Macgregor also said the Baltic countries should manage relations with their neighbours on their own instead of counting on the United States to solve their problems.
Earlier, the former Pentagon adviser said the United States was unlikely to invoke Article 5 of the NATO Charter in response to possible provocations by the Baltic states against Russia. In his view, Washington is not prepared for a direct and prolonged confrontation with Moscow.
Russia has also pointed in recent years to a sharp increase in NATO activity near its western borders. The alliance explains such moves as necessary deterrence, while Moscow has repeatedly voiced concern over the growing military presence in Europe.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly said it is ready for dialogue with NATO, but only on an equal basis and if the West abandons its course toward further militarization of the continent.