Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of nuclear-capable submarines to “appropriate regions” in response to a menacing tweet from Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev, escalating tensions over the war in Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said he took the decision because of “highly provocative statements” by Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s security council.
Medvedev had earlier described Trump’s threats to sanction Russia and a recent ultimatum as “a threat and a step towards war”. Trump responded: “I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.” He did not specify whether the submarines were nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed.
Asked later by reporters why he ordered the movement, Trump said: “A threat was made by a former president of Russia and we’re going to protect our people.” Medvedev, who was sidelined when Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012, frequently posts aggressive attacks on Western leaders on X, formerly Twitter.
Earlier this week, Medvedev attacked Trump for shortening his timeline for Russia to make progress toward peace with Ukraine from 50 days to 10, warning: “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.” Some security analysts called Trump’s move a rhetorical escalation but not necessarily a military one, given that the US already has nuclear-powered submarines capable of striking Russia.
Trump has voiced frustration with Putin, who he said had been stalling on ceasefire efforts. On Friday, Putin said he wanted a “lasting and stable peace” in Ukraine but gave no indication of concessions, as Russian missiles and drones continued to cause death and destruction across Ukraine.
