Washington: President Donald Trump has ordered the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines following what he described as “highly provocative” comments from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow amid ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
In a post shared Friday on his social media platform, Trump said he issued the directive as a precaution, responding to Medvedev’s latest online remarks that hinted at the possibility of nuclear conflict. “I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be moved to the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that,” Trump wrote.
“Words matter, and sometimes they can spiral into things nobody intended,” he added. “I hope that’s not the case here.”
Although it remains unclear how much the order changes the operational status of US submarines, many of which are already stationed near global flashpoints, Trump’s move marks a sharp warning at a sensitive time in US–Russia relations.
Trump also confirmed that Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, is currently trying to negotiate a ceasefire with Moscow and has shortened the timeline for diplomatic progress from 50 days to just 10, set to expire next week. He warned that failure to reach a resolution could result in fresh sanctions.
Read More: Trump Gives Russia 10 Days Deadline to End Ukraine War or Face Tariffs
The tense exchange between Trump and Medvedev began earlier this week when the Russian official mocked Trump’s ultimatum on social media, warning that such deadlines could lead to a broader war, not just with Ukraine, but directly with the United States.
Medvedev, once considered a more liberal voice in Russian politics during his presidency from 2008 to 2012, has since taken a sharp turn, becoming one of the Kremlin’s most vocal hardliners. Now serving as deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council, he has become known for making aggressive public threats, particularly aimed at the West.
His latest comments followed Trump’s early-morning post on Thursday labeling Medvedev a “failed former President” and telling him to “watch his words.” Medvedev hit back, insisting that Russia would “continue to go its own way,” and invoked the country’s Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities.
Read More: Putin Says US-Russia Ties Stabilizing, Credits Trump
Speaking briefly to reporters before departing for a weekend trip to New Jersey, Trump declined to specify where the submarines had been deployed. “We had to do that. We just have to be careful,” he said. “A threat was made, and we didn’t think it was appropriate, so I have to be very careful.”
“I do it to protect our people,” he continued. “He [Medvedev] was talking about nuclear, when you do that, we have to be ready. And we are ready.”
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
