What did Dmitry Medvedev say to make Donald Trump move two nuclear submarines?
U.S. President Donald Trump said that he has ordered the move of two nuclear submarines to be positioned in appropriate regions on Friday as a response to comments made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Russian Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia.
Last week, Medvedev tweeted saying that Trump was playing the ultimatum game with Russia and that her should remember that Russia is not Israel or Iran. HE referred to Trump's attempts and ultimatums to make Russia end the war in Ukraine as “ a threat and a step towards war.” “Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don't go down the Sleepy Joe road!” he said. Medvedev’s attack came amid Trump shortening his timeline for Russia to make peace with Ukraine.
Trump’s post on Truth Social called Medvedev’s statements “highly provocative” and said that he positioned the nuclear submarines in appropriate regions “just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”
“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he said
Trump did not specify whether he was referencing nuclear-powered submarines or nuclear-armed submarines.
Trump later told reporters that the “A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we’re going to protect our people.”
Trump’s last post on the platform took a jab at India’s trade partnership with Russia. I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” he said “ We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World.”
He also added a warning to Medvedev in the post saying, “Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together,” “Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!”
Medvedev’s response on Telegram was “If a few words from a former Russian president can provoke such a nervous reaction from the sitting and supposedly formidable president of the United States, then clearly Russia is entirely in the right and will continue on its chosen path.”
Will Trump's August 8 deadline for Russia to make a peace deal with Ukraine work?
Trump’s comments come at a time when frustration has grown in Washington over Vladimir Putoins's failure to end the invasion of Ukraine.
Medvedev often posts bold statements on his account on X, especially about Western countries and alliances. His last post said, “Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.“
Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists said to Reuters that US nuclear submarines, along with bombers and land-based missiles, have always been positioned to launch missiles at Russia, and "The subs are always there all the time and don't need to be moved into position."
Experts believe that the statements by Trump are just signalling and are not part of the beginning of a nuclear confrontation between the countries. Trump’s actions, however, may be unlikely to prompt Russia to give up its war on Ukraine. Trump's deadline of August 8 for a peace deal between the two countries may pass by without resolution as Putin has not shown any indication of slowing down its invasion of Ukraine, according to European allies who accuse Moscow of stalling.
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